Planet Haiku by Ron Riddell
My new collection of short poetry has been about five to six years in the making, following my first sustained attempts at haiku writing in late 2001, early 2002. Writing haiku is a very exacting discipline and I have learned a lot about the challenges of the "process" over the last few years.
The book has an introduction by my old friend, Denys Trussell, writer, raconteur, conservationist, poet and musician. It also has an afterword, by my friend and colleague, Ban'ya Natsuiashi, who is founder and director of the World Haiku Association. I am honoured that their fine words are able to accompany the texts of the haiku.
The book itself spans the years 2002-2008, during which time I have attended many international poetry festivals in different parts of the world.
The sequences of haiku in the book track the various journeys I made to attend these festivals. They are, in many ways, echos of the joys of these wonderful poetic experiences. But they are more than this also and if you want to find out more, please watch this space or send me a message. |
|
|
Ron Riddell's First Novel |
 |
 |
 |
The Greek Letter by Ron Riddell
The first novel by Ron to be published.
A man loses his memory on an Auckland bus. His father goes missing-in-action during the Battle of Crete. A quest for lost identity begins - of the son and of the father. How do their roads converge?
The mystery of the Greek letter holds a key, to the discovery of these identities, to reconciliation, to new bonds of love and hope.
"As a memoir of a lost identity and a new ground of being to come home to, The Greek Letter is a thoughtful book. It is a story where heart and head thrash out the story that is the making of the personal myth; that in the end says who
we are going to be. On another level it is also a story that makes observations and asks questions of the political psyche of a society of which it is part. That said, it is foremost a story which remains faithful to the art of storytelling and
the inherent fascination of fictions. There is an openness of feeling, an integrity of vision..., as well as some very sharp evocations of place, that make The Greek Letter a good, fascinating read."
- Michael Harlow
ISBN 978-0-9582801-0-5
$NZ 30.00 |
|
Ron Riddell's Latest Book of Poetry |
|
|
|
Azul amarillo (Blue Yellow) by Ron Riddell
The first Selected Poems (1973 - 2006) by a New Zealand author to be published in Spain.
This is a book full of the colour of the natural world of New Zealand and its abundance of rivers, mountains, seals and penguins. In celebration of the songs of birds and flowers, the poetry of Ron Riddell rekindles a spirit of devotion for the natural world and for thoughtful contemplation. The extensive bibliography of this poet, which includes such significant titles as Breathing Space (1986) and El Milagro de Medellín (2002), covers a stylistic range that is reflected in the best of contemporary poetry. This is poetry to be read in front of a still pool in the river or in the shade of an ancient tree. Azul amarillo is published in a handsome bi-lingual Spanish - English edition. This is the first book by Ron Riddell to be published in Spain. It is a book to be seen by the ears and heard by the eyes. No reader will regret the journey through these beautiful lines.
This new bi-lingual collection was launched at Pataka Museum, Porirua, New Zealand by Rolando Olmedo in September 2007. Readings in English and Spanish were made to the accompaniment of music by Bryan James. Ron Riddell then went on to answer questions from the audience and discuss his book.
ISBN 978-84-7785-785-3
$NZ 30.00
|
|
|
