The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
Diamant has authored a number of books on Jewish life but in this novel has taken her frame-work from Bible history and embellished her characters with colorful and accurate details. For instance, childbirth was critical for the survival of the tribes and her descriptions of midwifery are given their importance in daily life. From the Book of Genesis, Dinah tells of her grandfather Isaac, her four "mothers" the wives of Jacob, and the many sons often consumed with rivalry. There are rich descriptions of everyday life in these ancient lands and drama and suspense throughout. Curiously, the maternal line is from Laban of Paddan-aram.
The Red Tent was donated to our library by Diane Metheny and is available for borrowing and enjoying.
Jeanne Bird