The Red Tent

Mom gave this to me to read about 5 years ago, raving about how wonderful it was. I set it on the shelf with every intention of reading it, sometimes picking it up and looking, even starting it once or twice. However, it remained unread on my book shelf for years. Recently I was looking for something new to read. If you know me at all, I care to read more young adult-fantasy-feel-good stories. I really don't like to read about the seriousness of life. (We have to deal with that in real life enough as it is - why spend time reading about it?) But I picked up this one, finally, feeling ready to read it, and what a beautiful and compelling story.

If you haven't heard of The Red Tent, it is the (long and assumed) story of Dinah, Jacob, son of Issac's only daughter. She is mentioned in Genesis only briefly in chapter 34. It is the story of her violation by a prince and her brothers' vengeance on the prince and city. Although the story that unfolds follows Jacob throughout most of his life, it is a story of womanhood. Mothers, daughters, midwifes, and concubines. The Red Tent shows the beauty of women and how they deal with the sorrows and joys of life. It is a must read for every woman. I think I may have to give it another go when I have kids, I am sure it will mean something different from a mother's perspective. If you do choose to take this one on, read it along with the story of Jacob. It will help keep fact from fiction as well as giving a more vivid light to some of the more mundane chores of daily lives of his people.

It is beautiful and enchanting and definitely had me in tears. I think I need to go read some Roald Dahl now.