A nonfiction book by a Summerland author explores how to handle conflicts
White Spaces, Gray Areas, and Black Swans: Stories of getting along(or not), stemmed from author Donna Henningson鈥檚 experiences.
鈥淚 was absolutely gutted by an interpersonal situation and I saw no way out but to leave,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut by walking away, I felt I let a lot of people down. This bothered me for a long time afterwards.鈥�
She was determined to get better at conflict transformation.
Henningson spent three years preparing the book. White Spaces, Gray Areas, and Black Swans is a creative nonfiction story involving three characters travelling by drone under a tight deadline.
While the story has elements of fantasy, the book explores also thought leaders and stories from past and present, from around the world.
鈥淲e鈥檙e at a crossroads when we either listen to others to learn from them and learn from our past,鈥� Henningson said. 鈥淥r, we make the same mistake I did by giving up and walking away. We can do better.鈥�
The story is written for older teens, but Henningson said adults will also be able to appreciate the stories of people who created positive change in the world by the decisions they made.
Early responses from readers of the book have been positive.
鈥淒onna Henningson offers us a highly creative and original way to think and dream about conflict,鈥� says Matthew Legge, award-winning author of the 2019 book Are We Done Fighting? Building Understanding in a World of Hate and Division. 鈥淪he kept me guessing and engaged all along the learning journey.鈥�
The book also includes cameo thoughts from Penticton Vees head coach Fred Harbinson as well as Larry Pidperyhora Jr., manager of Penticton Toyota. The Toyota dealership had an organizational pivot following a fire that destroyed much of the facility in 2023.
Henningson will have book talks and readings at the Summerland branch of the Okanagan Regional Library on Friday, Nov. 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
A hardcover and ebook version is available online through the FriesenPress bookstore at
