The Red Tent

A reimagining of a biblical woman's story

Anita Diamant author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Pan Macmillan

Published:26th May '22

Should be back in stock very soon

The Red Tent cover

Anita Diamant's The Red Tent vividly reimagines Dinah's story, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and the strength of women's relationships in ancient times.

In The Red Tent, Anita Diamant skillfully brings to life the often-overlooked biblical character of Dinah. The narrative unfolds through Dinah's voice, offering readers a unique perspective on her life and experiences. While her story is briefly mentioned in the Book of Genesis, Diamant expands it into a rich tapestry of emotions, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and resilience. The tale begins with Dinah's mothers, the four wives of Jacob, each representing distinct aspects of femininity and strength, setting the stage for Dinah's own journey.

As Dinah navigates the complexities of her world, The Red Tent delves into the intimate relationships among women in a patriarchal society. The novel not only highlights the struggles and triumphs of its female characters but also celebrates their bonds and shared experiences. Through vivid storytelling, Diamant paints a picture of the challenges faced by women in ancient times, making their voices resonate with contemporary readers.

Deeply affecting and thought-provoking, The Red Tent stands as a feminist classic that invites readers to reflect on the significance of women's stories throughout history. Its warmth and authenticity ensure that it will resonate with women across generations, making it a timeless exploration of female identity and community.

Intensely moving . . . The red tent is a place of seclusion for menstruating women, forbidden to men; Diamant leads the reader into this storyteller's haven, creating a riveting tale of love, betrayal and revenge without compromising her historical facts. * Observer *
I was hooked . . . It was riveting – the wives of Jacob telling biblical stories from their perspective . . . it's just wonderful -- Julia Roberts * O Magazine *
I genuinely fell into this rich and colourful world and Dinah and Leah have stayed with me as ancestors and sisters brought to life by Anita Diamant’s imaginative novel -- Maureen Lipman
An affecting tale of betrayal, grief and love * Scotland on Sunday *
A compelling story, a celebration of the age-old community and continuity of women . . . The Red Tent combines outstandingly vivid storytelling with an original insight into women’s society in a remarkable period of early history * Yorkshire Post *

An intense, vivid novel . . . It is tempting to say that The Red Tent is what the Bible would be like if it
had been written by women, but only Diamant could have given it such sweep and grace

* Boston Globe *
If you don't read it you'll be missing out * Eve *
Dinah, famously a daughter and a sister, finally tells her own story . . . through the lens of Anita Diamant’s moral imagination – the colours couldn’t be more vivid, and the oldest story of all could never seem more original, or more true -- James Carroll, author of An American Requiem
By giving a voice to Dinah, one of the silent female characters in Genesis, the novel has struck a chord with women who may have felt left out of biblical history. It celebrates mothers and daughters and the mysteries of the life cycle * Los Angeles Times *
Diamant vividly conjures up the ancient world of caravans, shepherds, farmers, midwives, slaves and artisans . . . Her Dinah is a compelling narrator that has timeless resonance * Christian Science Monitor *

ISBN: 9781529086348

Dimensions: 197mm x 130mm x 27mm

Weight: 286g

400 pages