See the authors website for a synopsis.
My sister-in-law told me to read this book so that she had someone to discuss it with. I'd have to say that it's a bit controversial for more conservative, Christian readers. When I first started, I almost quit reading it. The book is about Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob, from the bible. As someone who believes that Jacob and his son, Joseph were indeed prophets and therefore righteous men, it was a little uncomfortable to have that challenged. But I read it all and in the end, I really liked it. The author has written this as a work of fiction, based on what is in the bible. I was able to distinguish when the author was taking great liberties and what was truth. It made me go back and read the stories straight from the bible and I was amazed at how much of it was true! Since the book is written from Dinah's perspective, much of the book is her thoughts and perspectives of what was going on. It's a very raw and gritty book and it might make some uncomfortable. In my opinion, it was a barbaric time when life was about survival and morals were not always universal. Again, this book made the feminist in me a little angry, but that's okay. I'd say it's primarily female book and I'm not sure how male readers would take to it, especially since much of the book is reference to menstrual cycles and child birth. I know my husband had no interest in reading it (or hearing about it, for that matter, but I didn't give him much of a choice). I would LOVE to discuss this book more! My sis-in-law and I talked for hours about it. I recommend it to those of you who can take the discomfort and having their beliefs challenged. After reading this and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, I'm actually ready to read something light and less thought provoking! I'm thinking that I'll go back and read the Harry Potter books or the Twilight books, just for a break.
Content warning: This book contains some mild sexuality, but it's not too graphic.
7 comments:
I've heard this book is interesting. I will have to check it out and read it, so it may take awhile to get a comment from me :).
I read this too Adrienne. I hope I can articulate what I want to say about this, because sometimes it's hard to say what I want on a blog. But here goes:
I felt the same way as you for a bit of it. I don't like how they portrayed Joseph as gay, that was difficult for me. And just the men in general were disappointing in it, even Jacob. And I too went back and read the Old Testament afterward. But, I have always struggled with the Old Testament. I go through periods where I study it like crazy because it is so intriguing and different to me, but then I end up with more questions than when I started and get frustrated and take a break. Anywho, I liked that the Red Tent made the Old Testament come alive to me in a different way (even with its partly un-true storyline). And I just would throw out the bits that didn't seem in line with my/our beliefs. But I still think it is very interesting and I can say I'm soooo grateful I wasn't a woman back then. Very cruel and barbaric. I did like the relationship of the women though and how they cared for and loved each other. But even with things that rubbed me the wrong way I actually loved the book.
I guess that is all I will say about it. I would love to have a discussion about this book. I read it a long time ago so I should re-read it sometime.
So, I have to admit that I actually read this one too. I have very mixed feelings about it. I don't mind any of the boundaries it pushed, it was more just that I felt some discomfort reading it as a man. It is definitely a book aimed at the female audience.
I think Anita Diamante is a fabulous writer though and I'd probably read something else of hers if anyone knows of less feminine options.
I think I'm going to have to go and read this book. Sounds interesting.
Kara-
Yes, read it and tell me what you think! I actually thought of you when I read it and wondered what you'd think of it.
Margaret-
I'm glad you liked it as well. I almost felt bad that I liked it so much, because at first I was so uncomfortable with it. I felt the exact same way as you! But I must have missed the part about Joseph being gay! What?! Where was that? Anyways, I realized when I was reading it, that all the negative views of Jacob and Joseph were the views and opinions of the other characters. I don't even think they were necessarily the views of the author, but more her characters. After I realized that it was much easier for me to enjoy. I really started liking it once Dinah left for Egypt. Maybe that was because it was totally fiction from there on and there was nothing to compare to in the Bible. I think it's just so hard to relate to because it was such a barbaric time. But in the end I really loved it and I was surprised by that. I'm so glad you liked it as well!
Stewart-
If any guy I know has read this, I knew you would have! Yeah, it's pretty geared to women. I can see how all the talk of menstruation would make you uncomfortable. It even made ME a little uncomfortable! I don't know anything about her other writing except that they are mostly religious.
Kirsten-
Read it and tell me what you think. It's so thought provoking, whether you like it or not.
So I am in a book club here and people suggested this book to read, as did I. So we will all be reading it soon I think in a couple of months. So I'll get back to you on that. I may just check it out now and read it early :) I'll let you know how it goes and what the other people in my group think, yes we are all women, mommies in the book club so it'll be interesting to see what every one thinks.
It is interesting to hear from the perspective of all members of our church. I think that we mostly felt the same, enjoyed it but unsure of how it went with what we would believe or feel about the characters. I would be interesting to hear how someone from a different religous background found the characters, or the feeling of the story and the writing liberties taken.
I found it interesting how things were just discussed so openly. Which made sense to me but was also uncomfortable reading at the same time. I did like how some of the characters seemed more real to me. For example not everyone in those days even, had 12 children. They were all from 4 wives, which we knew. But it is interesting to relate to the mother who has only a few children and is feeling done. Of course their feelings are being added in, but it made me feel good to think that we are not slackers these days for not having 10 kids. That there were women then who only felt they could handle 2 or something. If that makes sense. Anyways, if anything came clearly out of my head here I am lucky! It was an interesting book!
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