Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the Book of Genesis that are about her father, Jacob, and his dozen sons. Told in Dinah’s voice, this novel reveals the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood-the world of the red tent. It begins with the story of her mothers-Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah-the … Bilhah-the four wives of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts that are to sustain her through a damaged youth, a calling to midwifery, and a new home in a foreign land. Dinah’s story reaches out from a remarkable period of early history and creates an intimate, immediate connection.
Deeply affecting, The Red Tent combines rich storytelling with a valuable achievement in modern fiction: a new view of Biblical women’s society.
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I thought this book was very good. My cousin’s wife said she had read it for her book group and had enjoyed is. She said it was her favorite book so far. I won’t lie, it took me a little while to get into it, once I got half-way through it I didn’t want to put it down, but life gets in the way sometimes… so I had to put it on hold while I read other books my daughters recommended that we had out from the library,I digress, sorry, reading Dinah’s story was at times heart-wrenching and other times joyful. It really read almost like a diary and it took me back to ancient times “B.C.” it’s amazing how servile women were back then… I found the reason for the “red tent” and the occupation of a mid-wife very interesting. Being Roman Catholic it was interesting to learn of all these different gods and beliefs. I think this is a terrific story and one to be shared.
Fabulous book! Learned a lot about life for women during those difficult times.
Devastatingly heartbreaking tale.
Dinah is the young daughter of Jacob. She has many aunties and together with her mother they share stories and legends and teach her the ways of womanhood under the red tent where women go once a month. But when she falls in love with a prince of a different house her father and vengeful selfish brothers will have none of it. Murder and devastation befall Dinah more times then we can count. And yet somehow she makes it through it all. Perhaps a little worse for wear and broken hearted but still in one piece. And most importantly, still remembered.
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Such amazing storytelling. This book brought me to tears numerous times, and at other times I wanted to throw the book across the room. The author writes in a way that is easy to follow but still gives you a taste of the old world and the way it was before time began as we know it. Back when women kept ancient secrets about their bodies and their gods.
This book is riveting and I enjoyed it immensely. It speaks of strength and courage beyond reckoning. I would recommend this book to all women everywhere! If you are a woman you need to read this book.
Once you get all the characters straight …. you just never put the book down . Read it years ago as a pick for a book club… great for discussion among the club.
One of my all-time favorites.
The way woman were treated made me angry, and grateful to live in the present time. But it made me realize how far we still have to go and how blessed long it has taken us to arrive at where we currently are!
Read this years ago, still haunts me.
This story was a revelation. The early Biblical era, told from the perspective of women, before monotheism stamped out their own religious practices. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is beautiful tale of women’s lives, loves, religious practice that is lost to the modern world.
Diamant’s writing is superb!
Story of women who need to spend their time in the ‘red tent’ during their menstrual cycle and how they communicate with one another during that time. Interesinting read about life in another culture.
I read The Red Tent years ago. I loved the sense of going back to biblical times to see how women lived and shared. I am fuzzy on the details since it has been so long ago. But it is one of those books that stays in your heart as an all time favorite.
A great look into lesser-known characters of the Bible.
Beautifully written historical fiction, based on biblical characters. Colorful and intriguing
Women’s stories, “Herstory” rather than “history”, are important and should be remembered. Inspired by the Book of Genesis, the author gives us the back story on Dinah, who was overshadowed by her brothers. She is banished from the family and has to fend for herself. The same thing happens to her brother Joseph. Thankfully, this girl has gumption and she is able to overcome insurmountable hurdles. I applaud the author for giving us a peak into the character of Dinah. We should gain strength from her resolve. My husband read it too and now he wants to join my book club. Sorry, Girls Only! For our book club meeting we watched the movie and enjoyed a theme specific meal and gave away camel milk soap party favors. Dinah is hard to forget. Had it not been for this book, many could have as she is mentioned in just a few sentences in the Bible. I will never forget her.
Makes a biblical story more human. Tells the story from the women’s point of view.
Could not finish is was so bad. The liberties taken with biblical characters was ridiculous.
I enjoyed this book it puts a new spin on the story of Diane- I didn’t really know her story well
A fascinating take on biblical times. Provides interesting perspective that digs much deeper than a bible story
It sort of opens up ancient history. I believe it is probably pretty accurate in its sociologically accurate for the time period. As for the characters it depends on how you view the Bible as the “Word of God” or an interpretation of what happened in those times, or a narrative written by others.
This is the 2nd time I’ve read this book – just as good the 2nd time around! This book gives a close look at how women’s lives may have been in biblical days.