Once again Peter Kenny, known worldwide as a passionate fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and the world of fantasy, has given us a treasury of poems, Memories of Another Land. Mr. Kenny has revisited the world of his first collection of poems, Dreams of Another Land, to continue to explore the bygone years and half-remembered histories of this other land, both familiar and strange to our own eyes and memories. Brave warriors, travelling wizards, voyagers making their long ways across land and sea, and lovers both together and apart are described with language that in places is delicately pastel and in other places vividly coloured. Some poems describe dark beings and darkness falling across the land, but against this gloom stands the presence—in some poems prominently, in others as a small brave figure—of hope, for better days, peaceful times, and love reunited.
Mr. Kenny’s previous illustrator, Sue Bradley, has again provided lovely watercolour illustrations to pair with the poems.
Notable poems include “The Clans Will Gather,” with its echoes of Celtic traditions, and “His Golden Ring,” with just the right touch of eeriness along with vivid imagery. The Title Poem “Memories of Another Land” is a lovely poem which reminds us that not all we “know” is true, and that it’s what people have inside them that produces evil—or by extension good. Big folk and small, young folk and old, will all find something to enjoy in Memories of Another Land.
Sherry Larson-Rhodes. First Year Experience Librarian at SUNY Geneseo, & freelance editor.
Peter Kenny is a retired teacher based in Brisbane who possesses one of the most significant personal collections of Tolkien memorabilia in Australia and the world. Peter has had a passion for everything Tolkien for four decades and he has become a recognized authority in the field, sharing his knowledge and passion for Tolkien's stories with adults and children around the world through a series of presentations and events at schools, libraries, conventions and festivals. During his forty years as a teacher he often used The Hobbit as a literacy unit in the classroom and shared Tolkien's world with hundreds of students through reading stories, composing and art. Now retired, Peter writes poems, songs and fantasy stories inspired by Tolkien's Middle-earth as a hobby and shares his work in his presentations and with his friends. His continuing passion and writing has led to a selection of his work being chosen for this publication. http://brisbanetolkienfellowship.com.au
Sue Bradley is an artist and illustrator based in the United Kingdom. Growing up with a strong interest in art and literature, she developed a passion for the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and other fantasy writers such as C.S. Lewis. As a teenager, Sue was inspired by many artists of the fantasy genre, including Arthur Rackham, Roger Dean, George Underwood and Barry Godber. This led to many doodles on her school books of fairies, goblins, elves and other imagined creatures. In more recent times, Sue has been influenced by the illustrations of Alan Lee, John Howe, Brian Froud and Ted Nasmith. Sue trained and worked as a biochemist before qualifying as a primary school teacher. However, throughout these years she continued to draw and paint, attend art courses and develop her artistic style. She now teaches painting to adults, art clubs and societies. Sue is represented by a gallery in Beckenham, Kent, U.K.
John Callen (born November 4, 1946) is an English-born New Zealand character actor, voiceover artist and director. He is best known for portraying Óin, brother of Glóin in the 2012-2014 The Hobbit film trilogy.
