The Red Tent in Around the World in 80 Books

Sep 13, 2007 Nadine in NY Jones rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, based-on-a-folk-tale, interesting-women, era-early-civ, womens-day

A novelistic retelling of the biblical story of Jacob and his family, from the pov of his only daughter Dinah (whom I had never heard of!) The characters really come to life and you understand their feelings. The family tree printed at the beginning of the book was helpful for keeping everyone straight; I would have liked a map of the area also. Hmmm I think I need more coffee, this review isn't going well! I probably would have enjoyed this book even more if not for some unavoidable distraction ...more

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Dec 26, 2006 Elizabeth rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction

Totally gripping

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Sep 13, 2007 Sarah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, book-club, middle-east, historical-fiction

In The Red Tent, Anita Diamant writes the story of Genesis' Jacob and his family from the point of view of his only daughter, Dinah. While the menstrual tent does play a significant role in the book, the whole book is not centered on menstruation. The novel follows the founding family of Israel from Jacob's flight to the home of his uncle Laban, through Jacob's marriages to his four wives and the births of his children, and through Jacob's journey back to the land of his birth. The story continu ...more

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Jul 18, 2007 Joanne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: generalfiction

This book was so good. I certainly do not consider myself a feminist, nor a "religionist" so reading the back of the book it didn't seem particularly appealing. And, truthfully, the first chapter or so (10 pages or so) I thought my suspicions were confirmed.

BUT, you've gotta keep reading. This book is sooo good. The story is interesting and riveting and really makes you wonder about the story as it's always been told. ...more

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