An Open Weave

by Devorah Major

Melodic and vibrant, this debut novel braids together three generations of an extended African-American family in which everyone is fiercely and uncompromisingly bound by love and loyalty. The story explores in particular the lives of the women in the Ernestine, the blind grandmother who weaves astonishing cloths; Iree, her epileptic and visionary daughter; Imani, Iree's strong-willed and fast-talking teenage daughter; and Amanda, Imani's shy best friend who is struggling to find her way.
An unforgettable story that is by turns magical, tender and gritty, An Open Weave creates a rich, affirming portrait of a family and a community.

Genres: Fiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Born and raised in California but traveling throughout the United States and Europe, Asia and parts of the Caribbean devorah major served as San Francisco Poet Laureate 2002 through 2006. In addition to being a poet she is a performer, lecturer, fiction and creative non-fiction writer, and editor. A trained actress and former dancer, she approaches poetry as both a written and performing art.

--from the author's website

Reviews

[veni · Rating 5 out of 5]

the ending did make me a bit teary eyed

[Alysia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have had this book sitting around my house for years. I mean years. The pages have even turned yellow in the book and the mold smell has started to take over. But now I can say that I have read it!! Now on to the review.
The overall synopsis of this book and the award sticker pulled me into it. But I was sadly disappointed due to the overall story telling process the author takes the readers on. The book is told by Imani's family members sitting around the house waiting on her to come for her birthday party. Not just an hour or two but two days of waiting. As the family sits around waiting, they tell stories that give the reader all the back story. This book felt like a bunch of people sitting around the campfire telling stories about Imani. I mean all of it. The only time there is some real action is when the reader gets a peak at what Imani is currently doing with her friend. And when I say peak, I mean about 20% of the book.
I love that the family is very matriarchal and each of the women have something special about them. I would have loved to have more time with Imani and her friend.
I think this would be a great book for high school students to read for the purpose of learning about different ways to tell a characters back story. But overall not my cup of tea.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

No one in town really understood the “stair step ladies” as he always called the three-generation Moore family

[Talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick read. Insight into the lives of an African American matriarchal family. However, this family is not like any. Blessed or some can say cursed with supernatural abilities. Upon reading this book, it would become evident that the "powers" of these women are often times found in the lives of the very women we know.