She is a minor character in the bible, but the author has broadened her story. The red tent print the page add to a calendar using ical share page on facebook share page on twitter. In the bible, dinahs story is only briefly mentioned. The red tent is a novel by anita diamant that was first published in 1997. The author does succeed in giving the reader some feel for life in an ancient culture, and for the experiences that are the same for all women at all times. A decade after the publication of this hugely popular international bestseller, picador releases the tenth anniversary edition of the red tent. Sheila i did not know that the author felt she made up the red tent. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. The red tent of the title refers to the tent the women of the tribe remain in while experiencing their. We read both fiction and nonfiction, and choose the books by consensus, although everyone is encouraged to suggest titles. Book club discussion on the red tent by anita diamant posted jan 18, 2020, 10. Were you familiar with this bible story before you read the book. The red tent by anita diamant book club discussion. Jennifer w will be leading the discussion for this book, sheila.
The story says that dinah was raped by an egyptian prince. This is a very casual gathering, you can read at your leisure and join us in the svdp room under the. For me, it was more of a gathering place for women to storytell and pass knowledge. Go one step beyond the usual wine, cheese and crackers with a menu that matches the theme of your book club s latest selection.
Discussion questions discussion questions from publishers reading guide. Dinahs point of viewan observer privy to extremely intimate detailsallows dinah to present the private details of one familys history and to weave between objective and subjective perspectives. Octobers book club selection is the red tent by anita diamant. The red tent tells the littleknown biblical story of dinah, daughter of the patriarch jacob and his wife, leah. Jun 09, 2001 after reading the red tent for my book club, i was very curious to know what if any reactions the book had sparked from the jewish community. Meryt doesnt seem like shell play a very big role in the book. When i was fifteen years old, my mothers book club read the red tent by anita diamant. This summary of the red tent includes a complete plot overview spoilers included. Our book discussion group has about 10 to 12 core members, but other people do occasionally attend. In the bible her fate is merely hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the verses of the book of genesis that deal with jacob and his dozen sons. Dinah sometimes curses peopleand these people seem to feel the consequences. Or will you follow along with celebrity book clubs, like oprahs, reeses, or jenna bush hagers. Ive emailed authors for discussion questions and have never been disappointed so far. That is a wonderful book that any woman would enjoy.
What did you think of the whole idea of a red tent. December 19, 2018 this is the second film i was commissioned to make for the australian conservation foundation australias largest environmental organisation as part of their election campaign for the next federal election. After all, theres a difference between a good book and a good book club book. So she has seven brothers and four boy cousinsas a girl, she kind of stands out. The tent is, as the narrator says, an earthbound rainbow, which is also true of this novel.
Great supplemental information for school essays and. The wives of jacob gather in the red tent, and in that image anita diamant has found the heart of a pulsing and moving novel. Join us for our book club discussion on thursday, january 30th. The red tent by reading guidebook club discussion questions. Were considering expanding this synopsis into a fulllength study guide to deepen your comprehension of the book and why its important. Rather than using an unnamed thirdperson narrator, diamant utilizes a figure immersed in the stories recounted in the red tent. The red tent by anita diamant tells the story of the biblical character dinah, jacobs daughter and josephs sister. Diamant, the books author, has faced accusations of blasphemy for her imaginative departure from the events of genesis 34. The following questions are designed to help you guide your students through a discussion on the characters, plot, and themes of anita diamants 1997 novel the red tent. Does the red tent raise questions about other women in the bible. Apr 1, 2016 the red tent reading guide book club discussion questions litlovers stay safe and healthy.
Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. I really disliked this book which was surprising because i generally like books that do twists on historical events or on famous stories. Anita diamant imaginatively tells the story from the fresh perspective of its women. Whether she knew it or not, i was reading along with her. Just before we begin though, i have to october 19, 2018 0 comments read article. The red tent goodreads curled up stuff book companion her name is dinah. If no, did you feel like you were missing something. Honestly, i wasnt sure i was going to like it at first, but i ended up. In the bible her fate is merely hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the verses of the. Ive also seen several recommendations for the red tent. A place where all goodreads members can work together to improve the goodreads book catalog. Nonlibrarians are welcome to join the group as well, to comment or. It is a firstperson narrative that tells the story of dinah, daughter of jacob and leah, sister of joseph.
Popping in with our october book club discussion questions today, for little fires everywhere, by celeste ng. In many ways the red tent is a very female very feminist novel, the red tent itself being the place the women retreated to from the general family camp whilst they bled at the new moon. No matter your answer, were here to help whittle down your search for the ultimate pick. Book club discussion on the red tent by anita diamant. An oftenonline book club for those who dont, as a rule, have time to read but still do. There are many copies of this book available in the public library system. In chapter 34 of the book of genesis, dinahs tale is a short, horrific detour in the familiar narrative of jacob and joseph.
Dinah is only briefly mentioned in the bible as the son of jacob and sister of joseph. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. We hope that this guide will provide you a starting place for discussion, and suggest a variety of perspectives from which. The red tent by anita diamant 1997 her name is dinah. The red tent is a fictional yet thoroughly researched firstperson account of the life of dinah, the only daughter of biblical patriarch jacob who is.
The tent is red because of the falling sun, and because of the flowing blood. The red tent by anita diamant discussion questions used at spl april 2008 1. Have you considered revisiting some of the classics. The following author biography and list of questions about the red tent are intended as resources to aid individual readers and book groups who would like to learn more about the author and this book.
After a two month hiatus due to the holidays, weddings, etc. Good harbor by anita diamant book club discussion questions. The red tent is a novel of biblical times and of the customs of those times, detailing the imagined lives of rachel and leah, two wives of jacob both true biblical figures and, subsequently, the imagined story of dinah, the daughter of leah, also a true biblical figure. Jan 20, 2003 the book is not all bad, and not all silly.
In the bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the book of. The red tent is the place where women gathered during their cycles of birthing, menses, and even illness. The book for this meeting will be the red tent, by anita diamant. Beth or miami 11715 sw 87th avenue miami, fl 33176 305. Aug 16, 2018 august bookclub discussion questions by the red tent, august 16, 2018 so, were halfway through our scheduled august book. Study questions, project ideas and discussion topics based on important themes running throughout the red tent by anita diamant. This is a very casual gathering, you can read at your leisure and join us in the svdp room under the pavilion on thursday january 30th at 7. But the writing was a little too mother earth for me, and if they told me one more time what the red tent was for i was going to tear the book up. Looking for a book club with no homework and no guilt. The red tent by anita diamant book club discussion questions. In chapter 34 of the book of genesis, dinahs tale is a short, horrific detour in.
In the bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the book of genesis that are about her father, jacob, and his dozen sons. Diamant now lives in west newton, ma, with her husband and daughter emilia, to whom the book is dedicated. The red tent is a novel by anita diamant, published in 1997 by wyatt books for st. There is a huge focus on sexual awakening, menstruation, womanhood and the entry into womanhood, and fertility in general. However, from many direct messages im getting, so many of you have loved it and finished it already. It reminded me of somehting we do in my husbands family, girls night out. Rebecca isnt the kind of grandma who makes cookies and kisses you on the cheek when.
Like the conversations and mysteries held within this feminine tent, this sweeping piece of fiction offers an insiders look at the daily life of a biblical sorority of mothers and wives and their one and only daughter, dinah. The second half of the book, which takes place in egypt, is somewhat more convincing and less oppressiveperhaps because there is no more red tent. Does it make you want to reread the bible and imagine other untold stories that lay hidden between the lines. Dinah has many mothers over the course of her life, including leah, rachel, zilpah, bilhah, and meryt. In the bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the book of genesis that are about her father, jac. Book club discussion on the red tent by anita diamant sts. The books title refers to the tent in which women of jacob.
The red tent reading guide book club discussion questions. Also bedded are zilpah, a goddess worshipper who has little use for men, and tiny, dark, and silent bilhah. What do make of this story being told from beyond the grave. The following author biography and list of questions about the red tent are intended as resources to aid individual readers and book groups who would like to. Sep 17, 2015 book announcement about the red tent by anita diamant. Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers. The red tent book discussion group of the unitarian universalist fellowship of. Oprahs book club do you remember the first book she picked.
February the master butchers singing club by louise erdrich host beryl. Simon and levi, two of her brothers, avenge dinah by killing all the. I appreciate your comments and plan to share them at the next meeting of my book club. Anita diamant gives us a sweeping life story of this woman and her life growing up in the 1700s bc. Read a plot overview of the entire book or a chapter by chapter summary and analysis. I had not heard of the red tent being made up but, like others have mentioned, i saw the red tent as symbolic. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. The red tent topics for discussion anita diamant this study guide consists of approximately 43 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the red tent.
Dinahs relationship with leah dominates the first half of. This recipe for honeyed cake is inspired by the historical fiction novel, the red tent, by anita diamant. The book s title refers to the tent in which women of jacob. August bookclub discussion questions by the red tent, august 16, 2018 so, were halfway through our scheduled august book. In the bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the book of genesis that tell of her father, jacob, and his twelve sons. Feel free to jump into the discussion about the book at any time during the month using disqus which is ready and waiting for you and shows up. Come to the silent book club, where theres no assigned reading and no need to clean your house for guests. The best book club picks including fiction, nonfiction, memoir. It is a vast and stirring work described as what the bible might have been had it been written by gods daughters instead of sons. Read genesis 34 and discuss how the red tent changes your perspective on dinahs story and also on the story of joseph that follows.