The Red Tent by Anita Diamant is one of the most captivating books that I have read in years. The main character is Dinah, a minor figure in the Book of Genesis and the daughter of Jacob and Leah. Diamant vividly brings to life the setting of Jacob and his family, and particularly the fellowship of Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah. Though the book is set in Biblical times, I would not say it is a religious book. True, I gained insight (albeit fictionalized) into the world of the book of Genesis, but I more so gained an appreciation for the world of the women and men who have come before me. The book is a coming of age story about Dinah, the community of her mothers, midwifery, betrayal, and love in its various forms. – Amanda
The Red Tent is for sale at the Book Shelf for $3.99.
(Note: This is the first in a new series of posts on book recommendations. If you see a book in the Book Shelf that you would like to recommend, let us know!)
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