Week 1: The Red Tent

I began my reading adventure with a book that I had heard many good things about, had purchased at one point in time, but have never taken the time to read. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, captures the attention of the audience by walking the reader through the life of Dinah, Jacob's (from the Bible) only daughter amidst 12 sons. She masterfully weaves Dinah's narrative alongside her mothers stories as well, because  to understand one's own story one must also understand the mothers who raised them.

It was a powerful concept to grasp, understanding your mother's story to fully appreciate your own. Dinah was raised by four mothers and had four stories woven into her own. They helped shape who she became and how she interacted with the world. It made me wonder about how much I understand my own mother. I was raised in an age where sharing personal stories with your children isn't as common. Leaving a legacy tends to be defined more in monetary and societal terms today, and less about being shaped by the stories of those who have come before you. As I was reading this, my mother wanted to spend a day together, and I hesitantly agreed (unbeknownst to her). Within the first couple of hours I found myself getting agitated by the differences in our personalities and closing myself off to the possibilities of where the day could lead. It took a conscious effort to regain an appreciation for her, and also recognizing that she was probably just as frustrated with me-but she was trying. Making the effort to try made all of the difference.

The Red Tent also brought to light a tale that does not get told very often. Many times, Dinah is overlooked and thought of only in the context of being raped. I appreciated Diamant's use of agency for women in that time and her recognition of how some voices fall silent in the course of history. I am not sure if I will be able to think about the 12 tribes of Israel in the same way, but now I have deeper appreciation and connection to the names that fill those pages. Those names that shape our history to this day.

Letter Grade: A
It was captivating, intriguing, and thought provoking. The kind of book that is hard to put down and makes one grieve finishing it.