45 pages • 1 hour read
Anita DiamantThe Red Tent
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant tells the life story of Dinah, daughter of Jacob from the Book of Genesis. Narrated by Dinah, it imagines her full life from childhood with her mothers, Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah, through her first marriage, and her time in Egypt, where she becomes a midwife and overcomes tragedies, ultimately finding love and peace. The book mentions domestic abuse, sexual abuse, slavery, and death, including suicide and murder.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Anita Diamant's The Red Tent receives praise for its vivid storytelling and rich historical backdrop. Many readers appreciate the novel's strong, complex female characters and its fresh perspective on biblical narratives. However, some critique the perceived deviations from traditional texts and the slow pacing. Overall, it is lauded for its imaginative and immersive qualities.
Who Should Read The Red Tent?
Readers who would enjoy The Red Tent by Anita Diamant are typically fans of historical fiction with strong female protagonists. If you appreciated The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman or The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, you'll likely be captivated by the rich narrative and character-driven storytelling in The Red Tent.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1010LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Jewish Literature
Gender / Feminism
Religion / Spirituality
Love / Sexuality
Identity: Femininity
Relationships: Mothers
Emotions/Behavior: Love