One of the most beautiful, touching, and engrossing books I’ve read in an incredibly long time is The Red Tent – 20th Anniversary Edition: A Novel. The author, Anita Diamant, wrote this historical novel so richly that it is hard to believe that she wasn’t actually the main character, Dinah, living out her life in a time so far past and yet so seemingly near due to the lineage of mothers and daughters. The camaraderie of the women, the gorgeous richness and honor that they gave to their cycles of life, was unbelievably touching to me. This was definitely poignant given how our current society often lacks both of these. Menses today are usually looked upon with dismay and regarded as an inconvenience rather than a source of symbolism and bonding.
Also, there was the clear bitterness and sometimes despair of being a woman during this period of time. Being reminded of the reality that women were completely at the mercy of men, and in many parts of the world they still are, breaks my heart. You could only hope to have what constitutes good, kind men in your life or the consequences could be genuinely dire or at the least miserable. Even in good situations, it is a frightening thought to be so entirely at the mercy of another person.
The main character, Dinah, is intelligent, strong, daring and certainly captivating. She speaks clearly and concisely of her memories and experiences, the joys and her tragedies. It was a pleasure to spend time with a character like her, a character that felt so real that you could reach out and touch her. With her blessing at the end, it certainly felt as though she touched me.
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