From the first chapter of The Red Tent: "If you want to
understand any woman you must first ask about her mother and then listen
carefully.... The more a daughter knows the details of her mother's
life - with out flinching or whining - the stronger the daughter."
Diamant was able to weave biblical people with events and characters of
her own invention. This novel is about the life of Dinah, daughter of
Leah and Jacob. Dinah shares her life with her four mothers, Rachel,
Leah, Zilpah and Bilhah - all wives to Jacob from Genesis.
The red tent is a place where women gathered during their cycles of
birthing, menses, and illness. Where these four mother's share with
Dinah the religious and sexual practices of the tribe that instructed
her on how to become a woman.
We read "The Red Tent" in Book
Club in 2007 and it was a favorite by all. Very interesting - especially
if you like Biblical novels. It is very well written.
Remembering women's stories and passionate history is the theme of this book.
I highly recommend this book.
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