Celebrating Thomas E. Kennedy
(2022)A non fiction book by Renee Ashley, Walter Cummins, Mark Hillringhouse, Thomas E Kennedy, Line-Maria Lang and Louse Stahl
Tom Kennedy died peacefully in his sleep on May 26, 2021. He had been aware that this collection was under preparation and was very much looking forward to holding a copy, as much as he had the two volumes of his final novel. Although this book was not planned as a memorial, to our distress, it now will fill that role. But it serves as just one of many tributes to Tom, along with Facebook postings, email exchanges, friends’ conversations, and private thoughts.
Tom touched so many people, and a number have offered their memories in these pages. But, as important as he is to us, his own memories of those he knew thoughout his years have sustained him. Although he called My Life with Women; or, The Consolations of Jazz a novel, it can be considered a life story in disguise. As he explains, “Some of this really happened, as memory serves me.” Tom’s memory served him well.
In “Dear Prudence,” jointly written with Line-Maria Lång, Tom concludes, “Before this moment, I have never realized something in all my seventy-four years: From the beginning, nothing at all has lasted; memory is all we have. Memory is all, and all is memory.”
It is our great fortune to have our memories of Tom.
Tom touched so many people, and a number have offered their memories in these pages. But, as important as he is to us, his own memories of those he knew thoughout his years have sustained him. Although he called My Life with Women; or, The Consolations of Jazz a novel, it can be considered a life story in disguise. As he explains, “Some of this really happened, as memory serves me.” Tom’s memory served him well.
In “Dear Prudence,” jointly written with Line-Maria Lång, Tom concludes, “Before this moment, I have never realized something in all my seventy-four years: From the beginning, nothing at all has lasted; memory is all we have. Memory is all, and all is memory.”
It is our great fortune to have our memories of Tom.
Used availability for Thomas E Kennedy's Celebrating Thomas E. Kennedy