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The Red Tent: Summary and book reviews of The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, plus links to an excerpt from The Red Tent and a biography of Anita Diamant.

The Red Tent

The Red Tent
by Anita Diamant
Hardcover: Sep 1997,
321 pages.
Paperback: Sep 1998,
321 pages.

Publication information
First book/First Novel


Author Information
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BOOK SUMMARY

Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the Book of Genesis that are about her father, Jacob, and his dozen sons. Told in Dinah's voice, this novel reveals the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood - the world of the red tent. It begins with the story of her mothers - Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah - the four wives of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts that are to sustain her through a damaged youth, a calling to midwifery, and a new home in a foreign land. Dinah's story reaches out from a remarkable period of early history and creates an intimate, immediate connection.

Media Reviews

  The Los Angeles Times
By giving a voice to Dinah...the novel has struck a chord with women who may have felt left out of biblical history.

  Philadelphia Inquirer
A novel well worth reading!...very rich and fulfilling.

  Kirkus Reviews
With stirring scenery and a narrative of force and color, a readable tale marked by hortatory fulminations and voluptuous lamentations. For a liberal Bible audience with a possible spillover to the Bradley relationship.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated 1 of 5 of 5 by Elizabeth
A con
The title states this to be about the biblical Dinah. It is not. It is about an imaginary character constructed by Diamant. She should be honest and not use the biblical characters as a means to attract readers or to express her feminist views if...   Read More

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by iminthetent
wOw
When I first laid my eyes on it, I thought, "Oh God. Another stupid feminism book." But, when I started reading it, I was so enticed I had to keep reading more. The graphic scenes are disturbing yet powerful. They made me feel something....   Read More

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Sarah
Great book
I thought this book was really good and well written. Even though i am not a very religious person, i still understood it and loved the story line.

Rated 1 of 5 of 5 by Chris
Disgusting Novel
This book was the most disgusting book I have ever read. Diamant takes prophets of God and turns them into masturbating sex-fiends who can not think with their heads. I skipped the first pornographic section as I was so disgusted by her gross...   Read More

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by chick
Chick Book
This book was given to my friend's 15 year old son as a required book to read over the summer. Very inappropriate for 15 year old boys, but I loved it. I would recommend it to any female. I just hope it isn't taken as Gospel. The story is not...   Read More

Rated 1 of 5 of 5 by Sarah Politi
The Red Tent
Names of the characters are about the only truth in this book. It is sad when writers misuse holy scriptures for commercial purposes and not for truth.

...45 More Reader Reviews

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