I read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant four years ago on the recommendation of my girlfriend Chau. She and I, for the most part, have the same taste in books. I really enjoyed reading it then and was anxious to pick it up again when it was selected for my book club. I enjoyed the book even more the second time around.
Based on a short passage in the Bible (which describes a violent encounter involving Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah) this piece of historical fiction follows the story of Dinah’s life. The first half really focuses on Dinah’s relationship with her biological mother Leah and her “mother-aunties” or the women who not only are Leah’s half sisters, but also the other wives of Jacob. A lot of time is spent in the “red tent” where women go when they are menstruating.
This short review, copied from Amazon.com explains a bit about the overall feel of the book.
They traded secrets like bracelets, and these were handed down to me the only surviving girl. They told me things I was too young to hear. They held my face between their hands and made me swear to remember.” Remembering women’s earthy stories and passionate history is indeed the theme of this magnificent book. In fact, it’s been said that The Red Tent is what the Bible might have been had it been written by God’s daughters, instead of her sons. –Gail Hudson
The second part of the book describes how Dinah, after suffering through a terrible event, eventually becomes a self-sufficient and strong woman.
At first it is easy to become intimidated by the large list of characters to keep track off, but at the beginning of the book there is a family tree so you can follow along.
It is a beautifully written and extremely interesting book and lent itself to a great discussion at our book club meeting last night. If you haven’t already done so, make sure to read The Red Tent. It is really one of the best books that I have read in the last five years.
The 10th Anniversary edition will be available at Amazon next month.
