The Weaver’s Scar

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The Weaver’s Scar is a profoundly moving, gripping, horrifyingly beautiful story of one boy’s escape from the atrocities of the Rwandan genocide. It is the first young adult novel written in English for an American audience dealing directly with the 1994 genocide of the Tutsis by the Hutus, an event that resulted in the slaughter of nearly a million people. The novel is stunning in its eloquence, heartrending in its poignancy, and exquisite in its revelations, both of the characters’ personal lives and of the history of a nation torn apart by ethnic divisions.

Faustin is a normal schoolboy who excels at running and soccer. But dark secrets of the past hang over his family, and his father disapproves of his friends and his soccer games. Things only start to make sense when the teachers at school begin to emphasize the division between the Tutsis and the Hutus—a division that even makes its way to the soccer field.

As the terrible events of the genocide unfold, Faustin experiences first-hand the horror of neighbor against neighbor. With his family slain, his only chance of survival lies in his running and his sheer courage to outwit the enemy. He does not have to do it alone, however; he discovers the value and courage of an unlikely friend. Their journey to safety unfolds in a compelling narrative that ends with both heartbreak and, later, inspiration.

Author Brian Crawford writes:

“At its core, The Weaver’s Scar is not about the Rwandan genocide per se; rather, the events of 1994 serve as a backdrop to a strained relationship between two friends whose families forbid their friendship. It is about a boy who does not understand his own father and whose misunderstanding causes him to hurt his father’s feelings beyond repair. It is about a father who dreams of bigger things for his son. And it is about how the scars of our past wound our present.”

Because the story unfolds during the genocide, there are several chilling and horrific scenes that younger and more sensitive readers may find challenging. The lessons it imparts, however, not just about history but about personal relationships, integrity, fidelity, compassion, and humanity, make it essential reading.

Useful Links:

Author’s article: “Why Teach about Genocide?”
The Rwandan charity supported by this book