Halfway through this book I realised something - I had read it before. Everything came rushing back and I could not believe that I did not recall reading it previously.

I enjoy the story more when I don't think of it as being based on The Bible versions of these characters - I prefer to hold them distinct, seperate.

The main character, Dinah, is a wonderful voice for this story to be told through. Her story is woven with heavy emotions and experiences, both wonderful and nightmarish.

Favourite line: Rachel's prescence was as powerful as the moon, and just as beautiful.
( )

Love this book ( )

***Few spoilers***In 2014 lifetime miniseries of The Red Tent premiered and I deeply enjoyed it. In 2018 I found the book at my local thrift. In 2020 with more time on my hand due to corona I read it.

I enjoyed about 90% of the novel and the 10% regarding to negative connotation of people of color, ill treatment of women/men/children because of their family or status. Part one of the novel is about Dinah's family how they came to be and were before "puberty" and the pressure of life, greed, and envy corrupted what was a good life and people. Jacob was good in the beginning but I am not sure if it was the attack or social expectations that hardened the man. I did feel sad for the wives in the way they died none peacefully. Bilhah my favorite and understated character did find love but unfortunately it was her nephew. In that time what we now know as incest was not wrong. Jacob married his cousins and their many children are all kin mixtures. The taking and raping of slaves and concubines was common but it would leave many children motherless or raised without love. That and many other factors clearly showed in their lives. Many women today still honor the red tent practices or moon cycles dealing with love, sex, fertility, menstration, and womenhood. I do wish that in today's society women could find common ground and band together because it is hard enough just to be us.

In part two Is about dinah's life after becoming a woman, falling in love, and suffering for the tradgey that comes with misunderstandings, deciet, and lies. She lost, gave life, learned to blossom, love, and move on. In the end of her life it didn't end there. I like to believe we all live on in our loved ones our kin pieces of who we are. The beautiful names really breathe life along with the descriptions of the countries and cities throughout the story. Sometimes there were occurences where father's were impregnating a child who started menstrating and Dinah rightly cursed them. That is pedophilia in our world in theirs I guess men turn their cheek and women shiver in disgust.

Though this book story originated from christianity which i do not practice I enjoyed the tale. Zilipah seemed to me to be asexual in that realm of the spectrum. Joseph could be bisexual or gay.
Compared to the film they made it seem as if dinah was remembered by her family she did not even let herself be known . Instead only the women passed her tale but still I think they deserve to feel bad and know she lives, healthy, strong, and happy. Not even crazy Jacob got to know this but her success was the best revenge i guess. Her mothers never forgot her. I do hope Leah and Rachel found peace they let a man divide their hearts yet he left one alone and other sufferened unable to move. There was no sensoring that women have desries and needs that can be satisfied by them, man, or woman. Either way life is unexpected.

Lots of leassons came from this book. Everyone has a story to tell not all have happy endings or beginnings. I hope it helps anyone who is need of a little guidance. ( )

I lived all the history in this as well as the concept of sisterhood. Great story! ( )

Historical fiction based on the biblical story of Jacob, as told through the eyes of Dinah, his youngest child and only daughter. In the Bible, Dinah has no voice, but Anita Diamant has provided a voice for her through this imaginative story of her life that offers a convincing portrait of a community of women in ancient times. The titular red tent is a place where women gather for rituals such as monthly cycles, recovery from illness, and childbirth.

For me, this book is a story of empowerment and strength. Dinah lived in a patriarchal society and we see it through her eyes. She would not have been privy to the men’s world, so the focus is on the female relationships and the connections among the women. Fertility, midwifery and childbirth are prominently featured, and Dinah becomes a respected midwife. It effectively evoked the ambiance of an ancient culture. The writing is beautifully descriptive, and the daily lives of the characters seemed believable. This book is filled with engaging characters and multifaceted relationships. While it is based on religious text, there is little formal “religion” portrayed and I did not find it didactic. Knowledge of the biblical story is somewhat helpful, but not required. A family tree of relationships among Jacob, his four wives, and thirteen children is provided.

Themes include storytelling, motherhood, tradition, memory, renewal, and the power of nature. Contains sex, violence (including murder and rape), and graphic descriptions of childbirth. This book helped me appreciate what life would have been like for women in those days and makes me very glad I live in the present time. Recommended to anyone interested in biblical fiction.
( )