Staff Picks: The Red Tent

The Red Tent
by Anita Diamant
1997

As a reader I tend to crave books set in times long ago, books about strong women and the struggles they encounter and overcome, and books that reveal a deeper understanding of humanity. This incredibly imagined, extensively researched, and beautifully written novel satisfies all of those cravings.

The Red Tent follows the fictionalized life of the Biblical character Dinah, who is mentioned only briefly in the book of Genesis. It begins by telling about Dinah as a child, the only daughter of Jacob and his first wife Leah and her mother-aunts (Jacob's other wives Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah).

Dinah grows into a young woman, learning the wisdom of the women around her, which includes making meals and birthing babies. She also learns, in the ceremonial Red Tent, about the sacredness of being a woman, and how incredibly deep the bond of womanhood runs. Full of rich details of the daily work of Biblical women, Diamant brings to life the many complex struggles, tragedies, joys, and painful truths experienced by Dinah and the women around her.

Filled with well-researched information about ancient times and told in brilliant prose, Diamant creates a memorable, enjoyable, and realistic fictionalized version of a character only briefly mentioned in the Bible. No matter what your religious beliefs, women especially will find this novel a powerful exploration into the intricate life of one woman and her remarkable journey.

Sarah
Librarian
Martinsburg Public Library

CALL NUMBER: FIC Diaman A (Musselman)