Rating: 
Summary: The Red Tent
Review: This book quickly became tiresome as one realized that the main action in the book revolved around the bodily functions of the tribal women - bleeding, breeding and birthing. In the first half of the book all of the men, with the exception of one lone husband who didn't last long, were cruel beasts who had no use for their women (other than sex and food) and no interest in their female children. Is one to draw the conclusion from this book that the men of the old testament were self-centered brutes who treated women as chattel? I think so.
Rating: 
Summary: I CARED ABOUT THIS CHARACTER
Review: I judge a book by how much I care for the characters. Although the first chapter was difficult for me to get into, I stuck with it, and really ended up caring about the Diana. The things she experienced, I could relate to her feelings as they occurred. I felt that every event was within the realm of possibility, and could have really happened. As the book takes us thru all the wives and concubines and minor characters, I even cared about what happened with some of them. This book didnt have a lot of melodrama, but it was a book about Diana's life, and her growth as a person. I liked that Diana was a person with some brains, and that she had a perspective that was authentic. I like that everything in her life wasn't roses, nor hellacious. Even months after reading this book, and reading other books, I still can remember Diana quite well.
Rating: 
Summary: an enjoyable quick read
Review: It's a good quick read with an interesting premise. I realize it's a work of fiction. But I did have a little bit of trouble with the way some of the characters were portrayed, for instance: Rebekkah, Joseph. It's not the best book I ever read, but I did enjoy it while I was reading it.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: It took me awhile to pick this book up because I'm not a fan of this time era however; I was forced to read it for book club and was extremely surprised. It did take me some time to get into the book but once I was 1/4 way into it, I couldn't put it down... I read the second half of the book in one afternoon! One of the reasons I enjoyed the book was because I knew the stories of Jacob's sons in the Old Testament. When reading, I'd wonder when certain parts of the biblical story would take place. But the best part of the book was really Dinah's story. The reason her story is so greatis that this wouldn't happen in today's world. Reading the book, I caught myself shaking my head in disgust many times wondering how these things could have happened... yes, I know it isn't a true story but the book took me there and it was. All there is to say is 'amazing'.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: Before I knew it...100 pages had gone by. Definately in my top 10 list of favorites!!
Rating: 
Summary: What a life!
Review: I do LOVE historical fiction, but wasn't sure about the Biblical ties to this tale. I was not disappointed, especially from chapter seven to the very end of the book. Dinah, the teller of the tale, was a true survivor of a life filled with amazing and ordinary experiences. To live as a woman in her day was so stricly defined. I'm glad that I could meet her in my heart and mind, but was happy to return to my own very comfortable life.
Rating:
Summary: The Reality of Women in the Old Testament
Review: This book breaks through the male dominated, written, and preached Old Testament and takes me back to the Red Tent. I would love to speak with Anita and ask here how she developed her characters, ones that were based on one or two line mentions in the Book of Genesis. This book is a celebration of women and womanhood.
Rating:
Summary: Historical novel from the female perspective
Review: I bought this book because I was intrigued by the idea of a Biblical story being conveyed through the eyes of a woman. I was not disappointed. While I had a difficult time getting into the book at the begining, once I got about 50 pages in I was hooked! The detail and imagery that the author uses help to portray a very realistic environment. Not being particularly well versed in biblical lineage, I found the "family tree" diagram particularly helpful, and I referenced it quite a bit during my readings. Anita Diamant has written a book that is not only a joy to read, but also one that appears to be particularly well researched and conceived.
Rating:
Summary: Mysticism of Woman Receives Tribute Here
Review: It amazes me how swiftly Diamant drew me into her text. She makes those primitive tribes of biblical times so very real. I am reminded of the skill of Marion Zimmer Bradley in her Mists of Avalon. Dinah relates the mythical existence of those early women in Old Testament times. The nature gods of Jacob's wives and father-in-law reside side by side with El, or Jehovah. (In Zimmer Bradley's work, the nature or pagan gods conflict with the Judeo-Christian teachings.) Incredibly, Jacob holds faithful to his one true God in all practices, including relating the story of his father Isaac, and Abram's commanded offering of Isaac to test Abram's loyalty. It is through the words of Dinah, one gains such a rich and earthy perspective of Leah and Rachel, and the lesser know Zilpah and Bihlah. One realizes that polygamy as these women know it sustains them, as well as their progeny. The respect and communal survival of the tribe of Jacob is dependent on the strength and harmony of his wives. Their time in The Red Tent lends a sacredness to womankind unlike that which many women acknowledge in present times. Life was simpler and more basic then, of course. But the simplicity strongly shouts out to the reader that the practices of these nomadic women is the reason for life. What a beautiful tribute to women Diamant assembles in this novel! Even the harshest of scenes seems to add to the mystic quality of the book. The Red Tent will now serve as another female symbol in my mind. Dinah may have met with singular mention in the Bible, but her story as related in Diamant's fiction makes her memorable along with the women of Arthurian legend, Native American history, and all strong women in general. Dinah's voice deserves Diamant's vivid portrayal as it appears in this magnificent historical novel.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Story
Review: This was an extremely powerful story, and is well-written and engaging. I was completely enthralled from the beginning to the end. As a Christian, I found the elaborations on the story to be thought-provoking. And as a woman, I found it so interesting to read of the culture of that time and of the bonds between these amazing women. The only fault I had with the book were the liberties that were taken with the story of "Joseph," and how he was portrayed in what I believe to be a bad light ... after re-reading that story in the Bible, I didn't agree with the liberties the author took there. Other than that though, I enjoyed this book and have highly recommended it to many others allready.
|
