The Red Tent by Anita Diamant is historical fiction about Dinah from the Old Testament Bible. Daughter of Jacob, half-sister to Joseph, this book spins what might have been her story. Told as a narration, Dinah recounts her mother’s and aunt’s lives through her own death. The topics focus on very female topics: relationship with mother, issues with siblings, coming of age, love, sexuality, childbirth, betrayal, finding one’s place in the world, growing old, and resolution with life.
Since I read the Old Testament 40 years ago, I didn’t remember the full tales that were referenced in The Red Tent. It did make me curious although not enough to break out that Bible again.
Childbirth has been occurring forever so it was interesting to think about how this was done a few thousand years ago. Midwives with limited herbs and potions couldn’t do much. So many babies miscarried and died, it made sense that there were so many pregnancies. Women would be sad with their loss regardless of the era.
This is the June book club selection. I bet our 99% female club will have an interesting discussion about this.
