the red tent
by anita diamant

The red tent is the place where women gathered during their cycles of birthing, menses, and even illness. Like the conversations and mysteries held within this feminine tent, this sweeping piece of fiction offers an insider's look at the daily life of a biblical sorority of mothers and wives and their one and only daughter, Dinah. Told in the voice of Jacob's daughter Dinah (who only received a glimpse of recognition in the Book of Genesis), we are privy to the fascinating feminine characters who bled within the red tent. In a confiding and poetic voice, Dinah whispers stories of her four mothers, Rachel, Leah, Zilpah, and Bilhah--all wives to Jacob, and each one embodying unique feminine traits. As she reveals these sensual and emotionally charged stories we learn of birthing miracles, slaves, artisans, household gods, and sisterhood secrets. Eventually Dinah delves into her own saga of betrayals, grief, and a call to midwifery.

this book was a beautiful tribute to the strength of women and the imporatnce of the cycles of life. I wish that I had the comfort of the red tent in my life... I am blessed with the friendship of wonderful women though!

thank you, anita diamant for writing this beautiful book.

this book was so beautiful. our discussion was amazing and made me love the book even more. it was such a raw and emotional book that involved the reader in every way. it has left me wondering how written history would be altered if women were the recorders, and their stories were detailed in the way that men's have been. dinah is a full and rich character, and her realtionships and connections to the women in her life are magnificant.