Interview with James Mondesir, Author of Delivered
04 Jun 2025
What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Delivered?
The inspiration for this book came from a conversation I had with my son, Jaleel. One of my favorite ways to catch up with loved ones is around the kitchen table. Usually, I prepare something delicious, and I like to think he loves everything I make. Somehow, that night, we began discussing his childhood hurts, wondering if my ex-wife and I, like all parents, might have unintentionally damaged him. I must have been telling him about my qualm with Dad. Besides one thing that’s very private, and I owned up to, and apologized for, there was another story that I was relieved to think that it was just a matter of differing memories. After taking that first beating for that first mistake, I was more than happy to argue against the second complaint, which was totally different in my mind. He must have been four or five and, as usual, I’d take him down the Jersey Shore. He was afraid of going into the water.
According to his recollection, I said: No son of mine, a man from an island, should be afraid of the ocean. I picked him up and flung him into the sea and watched him swim back to shore. Immediately, I got excited and geared up for my rebuttal. I remembered that day vividly. He was five and was afraid of going in the water alone. I said no progeny of mine should be afraid of the ocean. I grew up in a small fishing town in Haiti and have spent many of my childhood in the Caribbean Sea. At some point, the tip of my hair was a sun-bleached color and brassy because of the salt. I picked him up and gently lowered us into the water until his feet touched the sand. See, I explained, I told you there’s nothing to be afraid of. Needless to say, he’s a superb swimmer now.
Later that night, as often do at 2 a.m., I lay awake, taking stock of my life, replaying the conversation in my head, wondering how much of the blame I assign to my dad could differ from what he remembers, or from what actually happened, and how I’ve interpreted certain events. As a parent, I have my version of disappointment from my kid, just like I’m sure I’ve disappointed my father. I couldn’t help thinking of Alexander Genis’ book: Sentence: Ten Years and a Thousand Books in Prison. That night, the character Jean Valeur came to me. That was the beginning of my journey into the theme of forgiveness.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
My preferences are literary fiction and historical fiction. Everything I write falls under literary fiction, just because I find people and human behavior so fascinating.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, and Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald; translated by Anthea Bell.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
One of my favorite scenes from the book is when Jean hopped on his bike and rode through Washington Heights, hoping to forget his troubles. Because of the many hours I’d walked the neighborhood during the pandemic, the imagery was vivid and fresh in my mind as I put down the words on paper. Remembering my promise to the kindly couple who’d sold me the bike, I swung one leg over Elsy with ease and care. I straddled the line of the bicycle lane, feeling the air against my face and all the muscles in my legs and arms. I blew past trees and parked cars, the corners of my mouth slowly lifting into a grin.
I made my way southward and turned toward the Hudson River on 181st Street. I took a left on Plaza Lafayette, just a few yards away from the entrance of Castle Village, where it was rumored Lin-Manuel Miranda took up residence in a fancy multi-million-dollar condo. It was just under four miles to Grant’s Tomb, and Riverside Drive offered a hypnotic ride, curvy bike lane, greenery, and breathtaking views of the Hudson. I rode past the George Washington Bridge, Columbia University, and NewYork Presbyterian.
I flexed my leg muscles and took a left on 125th Street, opening Elsy up and flying past the iconic Apolo Theater, evading broken bottles here and there until Second Avenue, and I turned left toward the Harlem River. By then, I had worked up a good sweat and began biking leisurely through Harlem Riverside Drive, and marveled at the waterway as I made my way back uptown. I was on my blue bicycle, under a clear blue sky, my blues lifting. It’s like a lyric, I thought, my smile broadening, possibly for a blues song.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I write in the wee hours of the night, and I usually start writing in a notebook before transitioning onto my laptop. Something about handwriting helps me think better.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
There’s no remote control in life – no replay or redo. So, every day is an opportunity to move forward and do something toward bringing our vision to life.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
One thing I’d choose for readers to remember after reading my book is that before torpedoing relationships or cutting people out of your life, take some time to look at whatever issues arose from different angles, consider the others’ perspective, and approach things with healthy skepticism and a lot of humility.
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