Henning was originally released as a two-volume series but is in an omnibus in its final edition. This book was one of my most sentimental projects, I'll have to say. One of my former co-workers had died from cancer -- this happened way after I left the company -- and he was, hands down, my favorite co-worker at that place.
When I learned about his death, it took me a while to wrap my head around it considering the time gap between that and the last day we worked together. He was one of those people who left a lasting impression in me that I still cherish to this day. Herbert was one of the kindest and humblest people I've ever known, and he was a ridiculously talented artist to boot.
A lot of his mannerisms found their way in the book, scattered among the characters. And as I write Doppelgänger, I'm finding myself leaning once again on the memory of my time working with him, this time inspired by the really tight bond I didn't realize I needed then. He was like the quiet and quirky but super cool uncle you always want to hang out with at a family reunion. He had so many great stories to tell, and I practically hung on to every word.
Tangents aside...
Another reason for the sentimental label I just gave this book is the fact that this was also a kind of a love letter to Berkeley, CA, where I worked for a good part of my years (frame shop just off Telegraph Avenue near UC Berkeley and then the art store just off Gilman Street and San Pablo Avenue). That said, I wrote the book sometime between those two jobs, which didn't really affect my memories of the fun times.
The most vivid and fondest memory I'll ever have about Berkeley involves the yearly holiday fair on Telegraph Avenue. There were also weekend booths popping up outside the holidays back then (not sure if they still do today), and I've bought a few things from local artists through the years. I've always loved strolling down the street, checking out booths and their one-of-a-kind merchandise, eating food from local restaurants, and just enjoying the hell out of myself.
There are scenes in this book that take place in events like what I've described. Even writing those scenes were almost magical.
Henning is currently 50% off in e-book format through the end of October. For a copy, go here to the book page and the list of online bookstores.
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