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The Red Tent

A Novel

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The Red Tent

By: Anita Diamant
Narrated by: Carol Bilger
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Summary

In this modern classic interpretation of the biblical story of Dinah, Anita Diamant imagines the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood--the world of The Red Tent, a New York Times bestseller and the basis of the A&E/Lifetime mini-series.

Twentieth Anniversary Edition

In the Bible, Dinah's life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the Book of Genesis that tell of her father, Jacob, and his twelve sons.

The Red Tent begins with the story of the mothers--Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah--the four wives of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts that sustain her through childhood, 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 connection with the past.

Deeply affecting, The Red Tent combines rich storytelling and the valuable achievement of presenting a new view of biblical women's lives.

 Inspiring Middle East Biblical Fiction
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Critic reviews

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

“With stirring scenery and a narrative of force and color, a readable tale marked by hortatory fulminations and voluptuous lamentations.” —Kirkus Reviews

“After several nonfiction works on Judaism, Diamant's fiction debut links the passions of the early Israelites to the ongoing traditions of modern Jews, while the red tent of her title (where women retreat for menstruation, childbirth and illness) becomes a resonant symbol of womanly strength, love and wisdom....Diamant succeeds admirably in depicting the lives of women in the age that engendered our civilization and our most enduring values.” —Publishers Weekly

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

“With stirring scenery and a narrative of force and color, a readable tale marked by hortatory fulminations and voluptuous lamentations.” —Kirkus Reviews

“After several nonfiction works on Judaism, Diamant's fiction debut links the passions of the early Israelites to the ongoing traditions of modern Jews, while the red tent of her title (where women retreat for menstruation, childbirth and illness) becomes a resonant symbol of womanly strength, love and wisdom....Diamant succeeds admirably in depicting the lives of women in the age that engendered our civilization and our most enduring values. ” —Publishers Weekly
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The story was only so-so and the narrator's voice wasn't natural, felt flat despite it trying to be sing-songy. Hard to describe. I couldn't finish the book.

Didn't care for the narrator

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Nonpretentious naration, Pure storytelling, nice reading , not overwhelmed by narator , The voice is Pure vesile of The story

Ease of storyrelling , ideal for audiobook

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Beautiful book enjoyed it from beginning to end. I loved the voice of the lady reading it, it brought the book to life.

Amazing

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Anita Diamant writes and weaves the story of Dinah in the most utterly immersing way.The humanity and soul of this book is both touching and soulful.I love this book.I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The main character of Dinah,although only mentioned once in the bible ,is bought to life and jumps from the pages with her quiet empathic yet strong resolve.At first sharing the Red Tent with her Mother and wives of her Father in love ,happiness and learning .Then throughout her life with tragedies ,sadness and joy,her loves and losses.
The Red Tent is of course the menstrual tent where women would sit together in sisterhood,Although I’ve seen the book described as a feminist book it is of feminism.one of togetherness, of the subtle recognition of the difference of men and women of those times.Of different cultures and classes and the prejudices and acceptances of human beings .With flaws and kindness,love and anger the time the book is set in within people of that time with their different religions ,beliefs ,gods and dieties.
Dinah is a biblical character together with her father and family. Her life story is fictitious but by no means insulting to any religion . The narrator is top notch and reads with feeling.

A must.

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it brought smiles and sorrow. It is not in complete alignment with the Old Testament story. It feels like the truth about that family was finally told. Some belivers will not be happy. It is well written and well read. Loved it.

made events described in the Old Testament alive.

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