The Red Tent

By: Anita Diamant

Narrated by: Carol Bilger

Deeply affecting, The Red Tent combines rich storytelling with a valuable contribution in modern fiction: a new perspective of female life in biblical society. It is a vast and stirring work described as what the Bible might have been had it been written by God's daughters instead of sons. Far beyond the traditional women-of-the-Bible sagas in both impact and vigor, The Red Tent is based upon a mention in Genesis of Jacob's only female offspring - his daughter, Dinah.

Author Anita Diamant, in the voice of Dinah, gives an insider's look at the details of women's lives in biblical times and a chronicle of their earthy stories and long-ignored histories. The red tent of the title is the place where women were sequestered during their cycles of birthing, menses, and illness. It is here that Dinah hears the whispered stories of her four mothers - Jacob's wives Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah - and tells their tales to us in remarkable and thought-provoking oratories.

Familiar passages from the Bible take on new life as Dinah fills in what the Bible has left out - the lives of women. Dinah tells us of her initiation into the religious and sexual practices of the tribe; Jacob's courtship with Rachel and Leah; the ancient world of caravans, farmers, midwives, and slaves; her ill-fated sojourn in the city of Sechem; her years in Canaan; and her half-brother Joseph's rise in Egypt.

Skillfully interweaving biblical tales with characters of her own invention, the author re-creates the life of Dinah providing an illuminating portrait of a courageous woman and the life she might have lived. A new view of the panorama of life in biblical times emerges from the female perspective, and the red tent itself becomes a symbol of womanly strength, love, and wisdom.

The Red Tent is one of those extremely rare publishing phenomenons - a little promoted, but dynamically successful book (over 250,000 copies sold) that owes its success to enthusiastic word-of-mouth endorsements. Now, for the first time, this sweeping saga, which has struck a chord with so many modern-day women, comes to life as a much-anticipated audiobook.

©1997 by Anita Diamant; (P)2000 by Audio Renaissance, An Imprint of Renaissance Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Book Sense Book of the Year Award Winner, Adult Fiction, 2001

"The oldest story of all could never seem more original, or more true." (James Carroll, author of An American Requiem)
"Carol Bilger narrates with a warmth and melodiousness that echo the rhythm of the musical interludes that separate chapters." (AudioFile)

A Great Read for Women's History Buffs

One of my favorite courses in college was "The History of Women". This course explored the role of women beginning with Eve and went right through until modern times. One of the most interesting areas was exploring women of the Bible. We learned that the cycle of the earth/cycle of life were very much worshipped by women and respected by men until the onset of the "One God". As women were forced to worship the "One God" they forgot their past and no longer felt proud of their roles as women, their monthly cycles or their ability to bring forth new life. Instead they were made to feel ashamed.

The red tent was the place where women would gather when they were menstruating. It was a time to relax and discuss women issues. They were secluded from men and younger girls and older women would attend to the daily chores. It was also where they would go when giving birth or tending to the sick. As I read the story of Dinah and her mothers, I was somewhat envious of their times in the Red Tent and their rejoicing at their ability to be the ones to bring new life into the world.

The audible version was very well done. I only downloaded it as a "2" but think from now on I will download at higher versions to get a richer sound. The music was distorted at this level and the voice somewhat tinny. Still, the narrator did an excellent job and I was completely immersed into Dinah's world.

Very Entertaining

I too was compelled to read the Bible and compare this book with the scriptures. I am by no means a biblical scholar but I cannot fathom the previous reviewer's close-minded approach to this book. I think that some of the characters, whether they were ancestors (not descendants) of David and Jesus committed some pretty atrocious acts that were murderous and deceitful and I do not have any difficulty in believing that they would not stop at having their way with a few goats and sheep as I am sure most shepherds have done. To believe otherwise is a bit naive. No wonder our country has been taken over by such easily led "fundamentalists" whose lack of objectivity has gotten us into the mess we are in now. Human nature hasn't changed much.

A lovely story

This is a wonderful book. Well written and well narrated. I laughed and cried. A great story about women, thier strength and complicated relationships. I am not one to usually like books like this but I must say I really did.

Wonderful story

Even though it is fictional I loved that it was like being in the past. The way people treated others, the emotional experiences, and the drama was wonderfully written. This a a book I have read before and still enjoy it again.

One of the best books I've ever heard!!

I loved every thing about this book! As a birth worker this book rung true and I loved the idea of the Red Tent!