I bought the book because I’m an absolute sucker for myths and legends being told from the POV of the women involved (thank you, The Penelopiad!), but was kind of turned off by the quoted review from She magazine which said it was ‘sexy, moving and unputdownable’.
I am now 100% convinced that magazine reviewers do not read books 🤣
It’s a really lovingly written ode to the power of female bonds and the different roles women can play. Not every woman in it is completely 3D, some only seem to have one characteristic, however they’re all DIFFERENT and that’s lovely. It really made me feel more connected to my female family members and friends, and the bonds we share. I find it hard to express my opinions about books, but I really saw the world through Dinah’s eyes and completely forgot it was written by an author.
If you’re looking for a book that articulates the bonds shared by women and what we hide from men, this is a surprising (to me) way to find it.
by SpikeVonLipwig
11 Comments
I read that book this year and really enjoyed it too! I particularly loved the biblical settings as it felt quite researched by the author. You are right that the bonds between women were very interesting and I liked the fact that the female characters were all different and not one-dimension. While I agree with the “unputdownable” (I read it in less than a week), I also don’t understand the “sexy” comment. Maybe books featuring willful women in unusual circumstances are sold as such in the hopes of getting an audience? Blah.
One of my all time favorite books! I’ve purchased and given away at least 10 copies
I had thought about getting this book a time or two seeing it at Goodwill figuring it was about women being banished to a menstrual tent may have to pick it up next time I see it. The whole concept always kind of makes me angry.
Thanks for this post. That “sexy” crap from the reviewer is exactly why I chose not to read this book. Thanks to you, now I will read it.
Top three favorite book. Read every 5 years, every time I read confirms it’s excellence.
This was a very good read. I would also recommend the Women of Genesis series by Orson Scott Card. Yeah he’s not the greatest human, but those books were and interesting and thought provoking pov of the foremothers.
I really love that you found this book. My mother would read this book all the time. It was one of her favorite books of all time. She had to have read it at LEAST 10 times. She also said it was an amazing read. As her son, I can tell you she was the strongest, smartest, and also self sufficient women I had the pleasure to call my mother, and it totally made sense that she found solace in this book. Here’s to all you strong women out there, you are all warriors of life. And The Red Tent is a perfect tome to you ladies and the strength you show and don’t show. Sorry, I’ve never read the book but it always had a special place in my heart from seeing it all over the house as a child growing up. The lady standing with her arm draped over the top of her head, the red cloth clothing her. She looking tired with her eyes almost closed.
I loved this book and keep it in my guest room for the many women I host.
I also recommend the Mave Chronicals by Elizabeth Cunningham. Examines the role of a “Mary Magdalen” character from a women’s perspective.
The Red Tent is one of the few books that, when I think of the ending, I just start sobbing.
I really loved the unique and female driven perspective that is often not present within the bible save for certain books like Esther. If you’re Christian like me, some parts might make you a bit uncomfortable, but they really add missing context to a biblical text that is largely compiled by male authors/disciples.
I haven’t actually finished the book (am just starting it), but I think I feel primarily wary to continue because I don’t loooove the idea of the author changing the narrative of Dinah being a victim of rape. I know (in any sense) it’s more nuanced than that, but as a victim of sexual assault, I have a hard time knowing that Dinah (who maybe was actually raped) is telling a different story where instead it was an act of love?? I don’t know. I’m going to read it anyway but would love to hear what you guys think about that. I also could be wrong, I’ve just heard that’s one of the premises / she kinda introduces that in the intro of the book.