The Red Tent is a historical fiction novel by Anita Diamant, first published in 1997. The story is set in ancient Canaan and is narrated by Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah from the Bible.
The novel imagines the lives of Dinah and her mothers, who are often overlooked in biblical accounts. The women live in a tent during their menstrual periods, which they refer to as the "red tent." Here, they form a close bond and share their stories, dreams, and secrets.
As Dinah grows up, she falls in love with a prince from a neighboring tribe, but their relationship leads to tragedy and upheaval. The novel explores themes of female power, sisterhood, motherhood, and the role of women in ancient society.
The Red Tent has been praised for its richly detailed portrayal of ancient life, its complex female characters, and its exploration of spirituality and religion. The novel has been a bestseller and has been translated into numerous languages. It has also been adapted into a popular TV miniseries.