was recommended to me by a few people when I asked for suggestions of something new to read. I came across it on my friend's Kindle a few weeks ago, and then I checked it out of the library. I honestly have mixed opinions on it...As a work of fiction, I really enjoyed it. It was very well written, with great character development.
But as a work of historical fiction, I was a little turned off. "Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters about her father, Jacob, and his dozen sons in the book of Genesis. Told in Dinah's voice, this novel reveals the traditions and turmoil of ancient womanhood -- the world of the red tent." There were many times as I was reading that I thought to myself, "There is NO way Jacob's wives would have done that." A lot of the traditions and rituals described were very idolatrous and heathen, and while there is nothing written in the Bible about the women's beliefs, I can't imagine the house of Jacob would have behaved that way...
So as I read, I continued to remind myself this was a work of fiction. And I really did enjoy the book. I'll be looking to see if Diamant has written other books, and searching for other authors of similar style.
Ooh - looks good. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteI read that one when I worked at the bookstore before my first son was born. I agree with you exactly on your review.
ReplyDeleteBut I did make the decision to not carry it in "my" bookstore. It was just a little too questionable for a small-town Christian store.