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 family: 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.