A good friend of mine suggested that I read The Red Tent. She was reminded of the book, one she had read several years back, when she realized that The Red Tent had become a TV mini-series on Lifetime in early December. A second friend texted me one day a few weeks ago as she was sobbing watching the mini-series On Demand. I knew this was a book I needed to read and was overjoyed to have a snow-day yesterday in which to do so. However, about 100 pages in, I decided that my snow day was best served watching the movie version. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that the movie had been removed from Lifetime's On Demand list and that I'd have to wait until March (the 10th to be exact) to see the movie version of this amazing story. UGH. Well...I am just going to have to be patient. But, just in case Lifetime hears my cry (and those of others, I have no doubt), I have added "The Red Tent" to my viewing queue on Lifetime.com and am hoping that it appears online before March 10. Fingers crossed!
The Red Tent is the story of Dinah, daughter of Jacob and sister to Joseph. While all of these characters, and the rest of the family tree, we know from the Bible, this account of Dinah's life is fictional, but still quite inspiring and very touching. The Red Tent is the tent for women only, used each month or during times of childbirth. It is in this tent that Dinah hears stories told by her mother, Leah, and her aunts: Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah. It is in this tent that Dinah learns about her family and the expected roles of women in her time and the importance of female relationships in her own life. It is here that she also learns about love and the intimate relationships between men and women and how to care for children, once they arrive. It is a truly amazing and inspirational novel. I really want to see the movie version. (Lifetime...are you listening???)
What I walked away from this book thinking about most was how I wished modern society was a bit more like Dinah's. I wished modern families lived together, even extended families, so that children could learn not just from their parents, but also from their grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins. I wished modern women had a true fellowship like the women who loved and cared for Dinah throughout her life. I wished that the modern society wasn't so isolated or self-involved. I guess some would argue that modern families are more evolved and are who they are because of what modern life dictates. That may be true, but I would prefer close-knit families and families that live close by. I grew up on a family farm, with aunts, uncles, and cousins all within walking distance. We had big family meals every Sunday and had a special dinner once a month to celebrate birthdays. We took trips together on occasion, and I loved it! I loved having family so close all of the time. But, now we are all spread out. Times have changed, I guessed. But The Red Tent reminded me how important these relationships are and I feel certain that this is a lesson I will carry with me for a long time.
Read The Red Tent, if you haven't already. It's a great read, and a quick one. I read all but 20 of the 400 pages yesterday and finished it up quickly this morning. It's an amazing story!
Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie
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