The Red Tent in 100+ Books in 2025

Feb 13, 2010 Dolly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: iraq, relationships, religion-philosophy, egypt-egyptian, historical-fiction, 2010, jewish-israel

While I was reading "Better to Rest" by Dana Stabenow last week, this book was mentioned as a Book Club selection. While this book wasn't a part of the plot, I figured the mention was a nod toward the book. And I just happened to have a copy of it at the house, so up it moved on my to-read list.

In any case, all I can say is, "Wow!" One of the reviews on the back of the book (by the Boston Globe) mentions that this book "...is what the Bible would be like if it had been written by women..." And While I was reading "Better to Rest" by Dana Stabenow last week, this book was mentioned as a Book Club selection. While this book wasn't a part of the plot, I figured the mention was a nod toward the book. And I just happened to have a copy of it at the house, so up it moved on my to-read list.

In any case, all I can say is, "Wow!" One of the reviews on the back of the book (by the Boston Globe) mentions that this book "...is what the Bible would be like if it had been written by women..." And I can tell you that if the Bible were written like this, I would have read it several times over by now, instead of the plodding pace I am making now.

This story was very touching, engaging and quite dramatic at times. It seemed to be a little slow in parts, but the fact that it spans the lifetime of Dinah, you would expect that there would be lulls. It's a fairly quick read and I found myself eagerly wanting to read more, even when I should've been sleeping. It has an air of a soap opera, with the many characters being connected in different and sometimes unlikely ways.

I loved her story and the descriptions of life back then. It seemed so real and gives credence to old ways. Sometimes I think we look back at historical times with pity, for they had no access to technology and medical care like we do now (where would we be without cell phones and broadband internet!?!) But when you read this tale, it shows a wisdom of the times, and the work of skilled midwives did much with the tools they had. I like the descriptions of the complicated relationships between the women and the way they worked together, each with their own special talents, to make the household run. I thought it was very humorous that as Dinah finally settles down to marriage with Benia, they discover that she cannot cook. All her life, she had lived in households where she was given other tasks and valued for her talents as a midwife. Now that she was not part of a bigger household, she found herself bewildered by the things she had never done before. Sometimes the dialogue felt a little too modern and conversational, but it is a woman's life story and it feels like it is true, even if it is not. I really enjoyed this book!

One quote I really like: "Of all life's pleasures, only love owes no debt to death."

new words: terraphim, terebinth, unguent ...more

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Nov 11, 2013 Alexandra rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: american, historical, religion-and-philosophy, feminist, middle-east, epic, 2013, may-2013, nov-2013

Absolutely amazing book. I put off reading it for ages, because the subject matter made me fear that it would be overly earnest and unbearable. In the end, though, it was beautifully written and well-balanced, providing a fascinating insight into women's relationships through the ages. ...more

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May 07, 2010 Lyndsey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Enjoyed this book, of course as purely fictional. But it was nice to understand a little better what times might have been like for the women of the Bible.

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