The Red Tent

[SueC]

This book has some substance to it, unlike a lot of the books I've been reading these days. It was written by Anita Diamant and follows the life of Dinah, the only daughter born to Jacob from Biblical times. I loved reading the stories I'm somewhat familiar with from the Bible written from a woman's perspective, though Dinah wasn't actuallymentioned much in the Bible. The title comes from the tent that the menstruating women of the tribes would sleep in, which is where they would share stores and pass down traditions from mother to daughter. It doesn't entirely take place in the red tent, as Dinah becomes an experienced midwife that eventually leaves her family for a foreign land.

[DCJenn]

I read this and really enjoyed it. I remember thinking that I probably would have enjoyed it more had I actually paid attention during Sunday School, but I think it's still a great story.

Jenn

I read this a while ago and liked it too. I almost gave up on it because the first 50 or so pages were boring but the middle and end were worth it.

[houseelf]

I remember enjoying this book too.

Kelly

I really liked this book. I know it wasn't completely accurate, but it made me think about other perspectives from Biblical times.

One thing I noticed is that for the women in the book, the confinement to the red tent was a period of relaxation. Women got a 7 day break once a month, during the more physically demanding time of their lives. This attitude may or may not be true, but its nice to think that maybe all those restrictions in Leviticus aren't punishments.

This is one my favorite books (one of the few I am keeping when we move). I read it at least once a year. I bought it about 3 years ago - so I have read it three times thus far

Everytime I read it I find a little more to it.