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Summary: Wonderful
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. I was spellbound by the story. I would recommend it to anyone and all women.
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Summary: A book that rises out of darkness like a sunset
Review: Ringing with a pure music that inspired tears from the core of my soul, Dinah's immortal tale of loss and forgiveness stunned me with its simple, clear tones. Though a glowing reflection of the biblical tale, this story stands alone and sings in the heated voice of an un-captured bird. Long this tale has endured, and eternally may it yet.
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Summary: A great tool for biblical study...
Review: This is one of the best books I've found for triggering a desire to look further into the historical stories presented in the Bible. While Ms. Diamant's story may be fiction, it does get one's creative ideas flowing when it comes to those women mentioned only in passing in the Bible. Her take on the story of Dinah (pronounced Dee-nah) from her parents beginnings (Leah and Jacob as well as Rachel and their two handmaidens) to her own beginnings throughout her life to the end of her days is one of passion, commitment, betrayal, and reconciliation. It takes one small passage of scripture and illuminates the "could have beens" for us in today's world. It once again shows that one of the best books in which to find stories of human drama is the Bible. A great read!
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Summary: Women/mothers Must Read!
Review: This book is the product of the author taking one "insignificant" paragraph from the Bible, and expanding it into an unforgettable story. It's the history of women; where we came from. I've passed this on to a number of women, including two who called me in the wee hours of the morning, in tears, after finishing this book. It's for mothers, and daughters, and it's very important to share.
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Summary: For a Bible believer, this is tough to swallow....
Review: Now don't be offended by what I have to say. I actually first will praise highly the style in which Anita Diamant uses to write. It reads very lyrical, prose like, Very flowing in verse and I thought, beautiful. If this is simply what you want in a book then read this! However.....As a woman who believes in religion, reading the Bible while growing up and learning of the stories, this book was a bit too much. I realize that Anita took much fictional freedom while painting the picture she is portraying, but for me many of the light handed comments and references to sexuality, including beastiality and masturbation, etc, were simply not the stories I wanted embedded upon my mind for these religious stories I loved as a child. (and still love) Maybe that makes me idealistic, or even naive, but none the less it effects the enjoyment of this book. Much time is given to the women and their menses (thus the name, the "Red Tent" where they stay) and I will say in fairness, this is an iteresting read. For those in my book club who were not, so to speak, Biblical fans, this book was very enjoyable. For the rest of us it seemed to tread just a bit too much on what is possibly sacred, and very unknown ground. Of course there may be truth to some of what she chooses to portray, but it was a tainted subject for me. I feel I must add however, I am excited to read more by Anita Diamant, mostly with the faith that her writing style, given a different subject matter, for me would equal a perfect read.
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Summary: Interesting Look at Women in Biblical Times
Review: The Red Tent takes an interesting look at a real story from the Bible, and weaves threads of fiction into it, to give a possible woman's perspective into the life of Biblical figure, Dinah. You don't have to know the Bible inside and out, or really at all, to appreciate this novel. While the story is based on information from the Bible, the novel tells a bigger story about what it was like to live as a woman during this era. Like a balancing scale, the life of a woman seems to be a blend of subserviance as well as a celebration of one's gender. While women were responsible for catering to the men's needs, they also rejoiced in The Red Tent, a place they would go to during their monthly cycle, to bond and dote on one another. I was struck with how strong these women were and had an appreciation for how much easier it is to be a woman in today's world. The physical experience of childbirth during these times was so intense..without modern medicine death more prominent. The spirit that existed in this community of women was amazing in how they cared for and supported one another. The novel was not action packed or fast moving, but what it does offer is a look at not only what it was like to live during this time and the obstacles that these women faced, but also explores the depths of mother/daughter relationships. It reminds us of the legacy that we can all leave behind and the mark we can leave here on earth long after we are gone.
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Summary: A trip into the past
Review: I purchased this book due to my interest in woman's place within the Christian/Judaic religions. The thought of reading a novel which takes place in the dawn of post-pagan times fascinated me. I was not let down. The story of Dinah from childhood, through adulthood and death was filled with vivacious descriptions of life as a woman in Caanan and Egypt in pre-biblical times. Anita Diamant manages to captivate the reader with her vivid accounts womens'day to day activities as well as their overall role in their various tribes. Their ranks as wives to their men, their involvement with their children, and the world around them.
A true 'window' into our past.
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Summary: To Whom It May Concern...
Review: Throughout all of my sixteen years of girlhood, I have been raised in a society that is gradually giving more and more equality to women. We (if I can say "we," myself being only a girl) are finally being put on a level playing field with our male counterparts and are being given the rights long sought-after, even though perhaps there is still much to be done. This is, as Martha would say, a good thing. However, an indirect result of this movement has been the loss of our gender identity. The attitude that was drilled into my subconscience was that we were only lesser versions of men, with nothing to really be proud of, and nothing to hold sacred about ourselves. Our physical properties, our emotions, and our monthly cycles were only limiting hindrances, and we should strive to basically be as comparable to men as possible. We were to go through life with the feeling of being unlucky, of being put in the unwanted 50% of life. And that, I say, is a bad thing. Our daughters are being given no reasons to be female. This book, if nothing else, has taught me differently. My eyes are now opened. My attempts at describing the transformations of my heart would only be futile, so I encourage you heartily to READ THIS BOOK. This novel has shown me a culture that thinks women are special...every little part of our body, or every facet of our soul...it all has a beautiful purpose. I no longer feel hindered, but liberated, and although she doesn't know it, I look on my mother with a new kind of love, and a deeper respect. I realize now what the bond between mother and daughter...yet another thing that has been diminished by our culture... means. I beg of you, read this novel. You might walk away from it enlightened, and even if you don't, you won't be able to put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Such a great, wonderful tale based on a true Bible story. The author took a basic Bible story and turned it into a wonderful story by filling in the details. I could not put it down!
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Summary: Not for Christian readers
Review: This book does not accurately represent the Biblical stories it uses. If you are going to read it, I would recommend reading the scriptures that tell these stories before hand so you can see all of the embellishments the author added for what they are.
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