The Blurb (from Goodreads):
My Thoughts:
‘The Red Tent’ by Anita Diamant was published about 25 years ago, and was a huge bestseller. I never got around to reading it, though, and so I was intrigued when it was chosen by my book club. I did not know much about it, other than that it’s a retelling of a biblical incident involving a woman named Dinah. My knowledge of the bible is absolutely zilch, and so I came to the story with no expectations whatsoever. Rather to my surprise, I loved it!
Basically, Dinah is the daughter of Jacob, who married two sisters, Leah and Rachel, and had about a dozen sons including Joseph of the many-coloured coat. The red tent of the title is the place where women go when they are menstruating. Men are not permitted within, and so the women wait out their cycle, telling stories, singing songs, and sharing feminine wisdom, including forbidden myths of the Great Gddess. Dinah’s aunt Rachel is a midwife and teaches her the craft. But tragedy strikes when Dinah’s brothers murder her husband and all his people. Dinah’s story then becomes one of recovery from her grief and horror, and the rebuilding of her life in Egypt. The book has a wonderful rhythm to it, making it impossible to put down, and Dinah’s voice feels urgent and true. A wonderful reinvention of a lost woman’s story.
