Q&A with Elizabeth Goodenough

  

 

James Munro Leaf

 

Elizabeth Goodenough's late son James Munro Leaf was the author of the new poetry and prose collection A Revolution of One. Leaf was a New York director, actor, and writer. The collection was edited by Goodenough and Brigit Young.

 

Q: Over how long a period did your son write the poems and essays in this collection?

 

A: My co-editor, Brigit Young, and I chose to include James’s work from ages 15-32 (2001-2017).

 

This allowed us to create a tapestry that depicted several stages of his young life - from a published poem he wrote in high school inspired by watching the twin towers fall to thoughts scribbled on a pamphlet at Notre Dame in his 20s to texts in which he debates the meaning of art with a friend stifled by grad school to thoughtful meditations on the experience of mania in his 30s.

 

We hope that at least a piece of James’s spirit can shine through in this mosaic of his words from all stages of his life.

Elizabeth Goodenough

 

Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

 

A: The title was found handwritten on a page in his notebook. It matches another mantra: Toujours L’Audace! We felt this phrase captured James’s spirit.

 

James yearned for revolution in art, in how we communicate with one another, and in the fight for the underdog and those invisible to larger society. His work consistently explores this theme.

 

He grapples with how inspiring the seeds of revolution can feel while also acknowledging the loneliness of carrying the weight of the world on one’s shoulders.

 

Q: The writer Jacob M. Appel called the book “an intense, mesmerizing collection that plumbs the depths of history and emotion in waves of literary force.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: It is perceptive and accurate! We are so thankful to Jacob for his support of this book. Jacob is a novelist, playwright, psychiatrist, Harvard Law School graduate, and even a licensed New York City tour guide. He’s done it all!

 

When he pinpointed exactly what makes this collection special, we couldn’t have been more honored. He is spot on in his assessment that James’s work scours history and great literature for clues and connections to our own lives, and the impact of that exploration brings the reader into a relationship with the great characters of history and literature.

 

Right alongside James, we grapple to find our place in humankind’s ongoing epic.

 

Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?

 

A: We hope they come away from reading it with more of a spirit of rebellion against injustice. We are encouraged by the positive response we’ve received from those who live with bipolar disorder who have told us his work helped them feel less alone. It made them feel seen. That means the world to us.

 

If those readers, and readers of all kinds, can take on at least a sliver of James’s commitment to fighting for the humanity of all people, the collection will have been a success.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: Liz is working on a picture book biography of James’s grandfather, Munro Leaf, who wrote Ferdinand the Bull. Brigit Young is in final edits of her fifth middle grade book, One More Time, which comes out in March 2027.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Thank you so much for having us on your blog. It’s such a great platform for writers, and we so appreciate it!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Elizabeth Goodenough.