I have lived largely in the dark when it comes to the Bible, so this was an unfamiliar story to me. I will describe it as it was for me, though I can easily imagine it to be a different experience for each reader. 
 The Red Tent follows the life of Dinah, daughter of Jacob. The Bible speaks at length of the sons of Jacob, but only mentions Dinah in passing and Anita Diamant does a beautiful job at creating a possible life for her. 
 As I was not familiar with the biblical story, I was fully wrapped up in the warmth and beauty of Dinah's family. The violence, greed and hatred snuck up on me, and left me with a bitter taste in my mouth for the remainder of the book. 
 Now at the end of the story, I find myself missing the connection I felt with the women at the beginning. For anyone who doesn't already know, the red tent is where women were segregated from others while menstruating. I had always assumed that this was a way of men controlling women, seeing blood as being unclean. The women of this story, however, had such a beautiful way of sharing in their monthly cycle, that I find myself wishing I had a red tent of my own, and a family of women to share it with. (Who couldn't use a three day break from life once a month?!) 
 There are many interpretations of the story of Jacob's sons, but no matter the version you choose to believe, Dinah had a difficult life. I truly hope that she found some small piece of happiness through it all, and I thank Diamant for finding a way to give it to her.