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A review by katiescho741
The Red Tent - 20th Anniversary Edition by Anita Diamant
3.0
I've read this book several times. My first read was when I was about 16, and I LOVED it back then! But, now my reading tastes have changed and I find that it's an enjoyable novel, but not as great as I remember.
It's the story of Dinah, and is set in biblical (old testament) times. The stories about the mothers is fascinating; how each represents a different aspect of womanhood. My problem was that the lesser wives Bilhah and Zilpah were a little one-dimensional; Zilpah was religious and Bilhah was small and quiet. That's pretty much all we get about them.
The book focuses on relationships between women, whether it's as friends, sisters, mothers, daughters, teachers, the book is a love story for sisterhood. I enjoyed the simple life they all lead as an extended family, and the separate yet respectful worlds of men and women. The tradition of the red tent being the main focus and the celebration of womanhood via childbirth and periods.
For me, the second half turned into a biblical romance novel...lots of crying with joy during sex, which has always seemed a bit tacky! A few too many coincidental meetings for my liking.
the women in the novel are all strong and capable in their own ways, and they all make their own choices. There's a focus on midwifery as an ancient knowledge and we see various figures in the book being respected for their skills as women.
It's the story of Dinah, and is set in biblical (old testament) times. The stories about the mothers is fascinating; how each represents a different aspect of womanhood. My problem was that the lesser wives Bilhah and Zilpah were a little one-dimensional; Zilpah was religious and Bilhah was small and quiet. That's pretty much all we get about them.
The book focuses on relationships between women, whether it's as friends, sisters, mothers, daughters, teachers, the book is a love story for sisterhood. I enjoyed the simple life they all lead as an extended family, and the separate yet respectful worlds of men and women. The tradition of the red tent being the main focus and the celebration of womanhood via childbirth and periods.
For me, the second half turned into a biblical romance novel...lots of crying with joy during sex, which has always seemed a bit tacky! A few too many coincidental meetings for my liking.
the women in the novel are all strong and capable in their own ways, and they all make their own choices. There's a focus on midwifery as an ancient knowledge and we see various figures in the book being respected for their skills as women.