Rating: 
Summary: Not worth reading
Review: Although this book has been highly touted, it was definitely not worth reading. The story is boring, sugary and poorly written. The story line (was there one?) was poorly constructed. I understand what the author was trying to do (write a story from the womemn's perspective) but while trying to fill in the blanks of the biblical story, she drew a blank herself.
Rating: 
Summary: In the great midrashic tradition
Review: This is a novel of interest to those raised both as Christians and as Jews. In fact, it is written in the same spirit as Marion Zimmer Bradley's novel, The Mists of Avalon. The Red Tent brings the previously mute female characters of this story alive. I hope Ms. Diamant will try her hand at other women from the biblical tradition.
Rating: 
Summary: A masterful and poetic interpretation...
Review: Ms. Diamant has done what the patriarchs failed to do: give life and purpose to the women of the Bible. This wonderful and delightful tale, told from the perspective of Dinah, is haunting, funny, touching, and most importantly, it's thought-provoking. What if the women of the Old Testiment were Goddess worshippers polytheists who honored the Gods of their ancestors, instead of monotheists as we've long thought? It opens up a whole new realm of women's spirituality that can not be ignored. For too long, we have listened to the stories of the Bible, told by men, about men, and with the perspective of men. The same story told by two different people could very well be two different stories, as evidenced by _The Red Tent_. Those who believe the Bible is 100% true, and not open to interpretation should not read this book. Those who are open to new possiblities can't afford not to read it.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, Easy-to-Read Story of a Life in Biblical Times
Review: This book was incredibly easy to read. It takes a character of little note in the Bible - Dinah - and imagines what her life would have been like. It is an imaginative book in a number of ways. First, it is a great story. It traces Dinah's life from before she was born until her death. I got very involved in her life and was anxious to follow her through her journey. Second, it takes the bare-bones recitation of the events in her life and the life of her family and weaves them into a tale. The book does what few others have tried to do - present the world of biblical times through the eyes of a woman. If you are super-sensitive about the Bible, you may not want to read this book. Some of the great characters of the Bible - Jacob, Isaac, Rebecca, Levi - come out looking less like the heros we know and more like, well, human beings. An easy, enjoyable read. Ultimately, this is the story of a woman. We learn with her, grow with her, mourn with her, and miss her when she leaves us.
Rating:
Summary: A great story, but don't look for biblical accuracy
Review: I enjoyed reading this book, and found it was really well-done fiction. The characters of Leah, Rachel and Dinah as well as the matriarch Rebecca are well-drawn here. The daily life, clothing, food, background of the times are amazingly detailed and come to life. The slant of the book is interesting; In the Red Tent, the ages-old fertility religion of women is developed and set in contrast to the patriarchal monotheism, which doesn't fare as well. The conflict is extended to a head-on collision between monotheism (represented as cruel and hard) versus Goddess worship (soft and forgiving.) The biblical events are interpreted in a novelistic way (motives and explanations are given that make sense in a story, but don't match necessarily with the Scriptures.) So this book should only be read as a novel and the point of view of the author; it isn't a religious work. This provokes some of the same (if milder!) anger that Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses did. Can a novel use biblical themes and not be sacrilegious?
Rating:
Summary: BREATHTAKING
Review: There are some books you simply want everyone to read because you know it will enhance them, change them or simply move them. That is why I decided to write this review. .... The Red Tent by Anita Diamant is simply breathtaking. I cried from beginning till end. It was like diving into a sea of poetry, a river of song. It became my story and I know it will become yours. I have never felt closer or more familiar with any other woman like I felt to Dinah. In her mothers I saw mine. Whether the story is true or not is simply irrelevant. The possibility of truth is enough. The alternative provided to the Book of Genesis where Dinah is simply a footnote is enough. I applaud Anita Diamant for writing something so brave and so very beautiful and I plead you all to read it, just to pick it up and try. So that Dinah will be a footnote no more.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing and Different
Review: I took the word of my sister-in-law when she recommended this book. I was pleasantly surprised! This is a book that only a woman could truly appreciate. I enjoyed every second of this book and encourage women everywhere to give it a chance.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL!
Review: Even though it took too much concentrating to keep the names straight sometimes, this was a great read. I can't believe it took me 2 years to discover this book!
Rating:
Summary: Giving splendid voice where there had been silence
Review: I have been a fan of Diamant's non-fiction wedding and baby books for a while, but when my sister-in-law gave this to me with the instructions "You HAVE to read this," I fell in love with her fiction. This is a glorious story giving a possible voice to female characters of the Bible where before we have heard almost exclusively from the men. From the opening "We have been lost to each other, you and I..." to the end where we must say good bye, I was captivated by the spell of this story. It is a woman's story filled with all the joys and pains of growing up and going from maiden to mother to crone. It is all of our story. I have recommended this book to countless girlfriends (who have continued to recommend it!)and even strangers in bookstores. And now to you I also recommend you take the opportunity to get lost in the luciousness of Diamant's and Dinah's world.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book- Couldn't and Still Can't put it Down
Review: I first read this when i was 13- my aunt suggested it. I think it's GREAT! I understand why religious people have objections- biblical characters are "pagans" and practise idolitry. I, not being religious, have no objections to this and think that people should get oer it. When the first read the book, they should have noticed "Biblical Fiction" written somewhere. They read it and should not complain for their own misgivings. Here's some tips -Don't read it if you have religious objections to biblical characters being interpreted differently. -Don't read if you have issuse about blood and birth. Another thing is, I liked the Red Tent because of the actual red tent. Wwomen need a private place now, and they did then as well. They also needed secrets- the only female secrets then were birth and menses. I am a women reader, and I appreciate the consideration given to women's monthly trouble. All in all, the book is great, but people with problems about their religion being rejected sghouldn't read it. I loved it.
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