Rating: 
Summary: Sacredness of Women and womanhood
Review: I am shocked and amazed at the readers who did not love this book. It was a wonderful story of sisterhood, envy, broken trust, forgivenss, restoration, atonement and healing. Even if one does not agree with the events (polygomy and sexism) in the book there is much to love. The writing was excellent, for example; descriptions of the love scenes, the sacredness of the womb, mentstration and childbirth. Those who are familiar with rituals can see the connection to days of old negative or positive. Dinah tells the story of how here circle of sisters upheld and practiced these rituals with reverence. Later in the story you see the contrast of women from other circles who do not value the rituals and therefore do not value themselves. As women we are all midwives because we are keepers of ritual and pass on our values of divinity mind, body and spirit. Most pivitol in this is that men are kept out of women's business. No man knew what was going on in the Red Tent and therefore it was respected until some misunderstood the importance of it all later in the story. I close saying that depending on what your references are culturally, spiritually or personally this story reflects that perspective. My hope is that it will change, renew or redefine it as a result of this colorful explanation through the lens of Dinah. The barbarian philosophies and actions still exist in The New Millenium however it is the responsibility as womb-an to call forth the divine and activate or reactivate sacred rituals for our own self care. Read it and pass it on,
LT
Rating:
Summary: Moving and raw.
Review: I just finished the red tent and I am still in tears.This book moved me in ways I can't explain.Though definatly not for everyone,this is a book that will live forever on my shelves!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I'm writing this review in response to other discouraging reviews, because I consider this book to be one of the best I have ever read. I read about 3 or 4 books a week, so I have a pretty broad base to compare this book to others, and there truly is no comparison. It took me a week and a half to finish this book, only because I forced myself to put it down, because I never wanted it to end.
Rating:
Summary: so wonderful
Review: I came across this book by accident, but once I started I couldn't put it down. Everything about it is so romantic and passionate (not in the romance sort of way). Strong women who perservere in the hardest of times. i would totally recomend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Feminist revisionism
Review: I love historical fiction, but I prefer that any "modern" sensibilities stay out of the story. While I expected, and looked forward to, a fully realized biblical story told from the female point of view, I was not prepared for a feminist agenda. I also expected, and looked forward to, some expansion and revision of the bare facts of the original story (which is, after all, the task of the historical novelist), but I found Diamant's efforts to be perverse and lacking in imagination. I give the book three stars, as I do believe it does a decent job of depicting some aspects of the daily life of women.
Rating: 
Summary: An Earthy Tale
Review: I cannot fault the writer on her unusual approach to the tale of Jacob's wives and the story of Dinah. However, the story seemed to be an unveiled advertisement for the Wicca religion instead of supporting the historical approach given in the Bible. By the time Dinah began her menses cycle and I labored through the graphic earthy account of thier pagan ritual my stomach was queasy. As a Christian I was offended that the "bad" guys were the men that opposed the pagantry. I would not recommend this book to anyone and am sorry I spent the money for my copy.
Rating:
Summary: The passionate tale of Dinah
Review: I picked up this book on a whim. I am not a Christian however was raised in the Christian church. Thus I am familiar with the tales of Joseph, Jacob and his wives, ect. However, I have a renewed appreciation for these characters. What a rich book on the strength and sisterhood of women. Where the bible many times neglects herstory, this book offers an unique look at complex bonds and friendships between women, sisters and mothers/daughters. It also honors women spirit. The strong theme of birth, menstruation, coming of age are incredible. I highly recommend this book. What a unique take on both Jacob and Joseph also.
Rating:
Summary: What a beautiful book
Review: This is a great book for women and feminists who like historical tales of strong women. Once I picked it up, I couldnt put it down. The story is mezmerizing.
Rating:
Summary: Great historically, poor biblically.
Review: Let me admit first that I did not finish the book. I lost interest in the author's style of writing. I commend the author for her seemingly accurate and exact portrayal of biblical customs and cultures. It was quite interesting to read of the basic yet complicated tasks the women had to perform on a daily basis. The women of that day put our high-powered career women to shame. There were two things I strongly disliked about the authors writing. First, the entire tone of the book (including the title) and the style in which it's written carries with it an overpowering feminist tone. I get the impression the author wrote the book with the intent to show how powerful women are, and how much power they carry even though men strut around pretending to be in charge. The message of "sisterhood" becomes sickening eventually and that's one element that made me stop reading. I love being a woman. But we need men. We compliment men and they compliment us. Without men the world would be one flighty, silly catfight of a red tent. The second reason I stopped reading (and the most offensive to me) is that Ms. Diamant attributes the birth of Isaac to Rebecca to a false goddess. She (Ms. Diamant) has complete freedom to write any way she chooses. I fully expect her to change and embellish in any way she wants. But for a Jewish woman to take a biblical event as important and prominent in the bible as God's promise to Abraham to bear him a son through the aging Rebecca and attribute it to a figment of her imagination she calls a "goddess" is highly offensive to me and should be to her. Certainly it's her right to do that but it makes me wonder WHY someone would do that. What would the motivation be behind wanting such a significant event in biblical history that's an act of the One and Only True God to be attributed not only to a false god but a "godDESS"? My only conclusion is that Ms. Diamant suffers from thinking of her sex more highly than she ought and not thinking enough of the Father God that made her.
Rating:
Summary: Historical Fiction at Its Best
Review: I appreciate a work that reflects a solid understanding of the time in which it is set, as well as a reliable familiarity with the daily life and culture of the subject. Such is The Red Tent. But it's not a history book, it's fiction - and as such, it successfully weaves a fantastic and engaging tale into its historical backdrop. It's a captivating epic with an authentic woman's voice. Although this piece is set during a biblical time, do not expect religious dogma or a "bible story" - it is meaty historical fiction, both plausible and gripping. I was thoroughly engrossed from the first paragraph to the last. If you're looking for something to lose yourself in, read the Red Tent.
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