Iimani David
Iimani David (born December 15, 1969) is an American author of literary fiction. His novels and short stories, often branded as an extreme form of impressionism, are known for their sociopolitical commentary and metaphysical bent. There is debate as to whether David's works are indeed a form of literary impressionism or Surrealism.
Biography
David was born in New York City towards the end of the civil rights movement. Though little is known of this reclusive author, it is known that he is also a poet who owned one of Brooklyn, New York's premier poetry clubs, Cafe Iimani's, from 2000 to 2006. David is best known for his work Anathema Rhodes: Dreams which was nominated in 2009 for book of the year by ForeWord Magazine. A self-described "literary experimentalist", David introduced in Anathema Rhodes the literary techniques Maypoling and Vertical Story-telling to enhance the surreal sense of his characters' mental and emotional experiences. Use of narrative stream of consciousness (an already well-established literary technique) is also broadly used in this work. Since David does not make promotional appearances except for those benefiting nonprofit organizations, resists engaging in book signings, and will not seek or give InterViews, it is difficult to know how the American civil rights movement, or his experience of being an African-American in America, has shaped his views. It is safe to say, however, that many have called his writings "anarchic" and "atheistic". Rumors of "secret codes" or cryptic revolutionary messages in existence in David's writings have never been proven, nor have they been denied by the author. David is the President of The New York Literary Society; a literary organization based in his home town of New York City.
Selected Works
Novels
- Anathema Rhodes: Dreams (2009)
- The [...] (2010) - Originally published as Descendants of Caine in 1995
Short Stories
- the store, (2010)
- Boogieyakka, (2009)
- Pathetique, (2008)
- My Dream of the Hole, (1998) - Appears in Anathema Rhodes
Poems
- You Are, (2009)
- Black Doves, (1999)
- Bloodstains, (1998)
- Dark Crevices, (1995) - Appears in Anathema Rhodes
- Cut Roses, (1994) - Appears in The [...]