Rating: 
Summary: Not a true Christian Fiction
Review: While this book is beautifully written and presents a unique persona-point-of-view, it does not fit into the category of Christian Fiction by definition. Most Christian fiction presents a person in situations that lead him into a more intimate relationship of God and Christ. While this book portrays interesting facts about cultural practices of societies in Biblical times, it does not do as I described above. It also greatly deviates from the Biblical descriptions of Jacob and his family. Rebecca was not a pagan prophetess and Joseph was not a petty man full of himself and his power while a vizier of Egypt. I don't believe this book should be listed under the category of Christian fiction. It is misleading.
Rating: 
Summary: amazing book for history fans
Review: If, like me, you love books that really focus on the daily rituals of life in ancient times you will find this book fascinating, but if you don't you'll probably like it anyway.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent, fascniating, historical saga
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read! Technically, it's the story of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah. The story is based on the old Testament, but it's fictionalized, told from Dinah's perspective. It's a fascinating story about families, love, and life, and it's completely relevant to the present as well. I can't describe how much I enjoyed reading this book, and how I hated to reach the end!
Rating: 
Summary: A TRUE Feminist Tale
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it in two days as I was fascinated by this culture of "the red tent". This story is earthy and sensual, as I'm sure it was intended to be. And it truly celebrates women as lifebearers and healers and mothers rather than workaholics who have no more ambition that getting paid the same to do a man's job. In a time where women disdain being mothers or they choose to work instead of raise their children and run their home in a healthy way, this book is an inspiring detour into the old world. The story, however much it deviates from the true Biblical account, (and I'll get to that in a minute), captivated me. The Bible uplifts women and gives them a higher place in its story that any other literature of its time, but not much is said about Dinah because her story is not the primary reason that Moses recounts the tale of Jacob and his sons. And here is where I have a little beef with Diamant. Her bio says she's written plenty of books on Judaism, but you'd never know she was Jewish by her emphasis on the absolutely pagan practices of Jacob's family in this book. On this level, Diamant's story is wholly untrue for Jacob and his sons never worshipped any God but the one true God, "El" as he is referred to in this novel. Jacob's wives, at least once they left Laban's care, also worshipped this God and all that stuff about sacrificing to the Queen of Heaven and what not is pure fiction. I did not mind that, at many points in the story, Diamant deviates from the Biblical account (i.e. Dinah's in Shechem or the switch LABAN pulled on Jacob when he was supposed to be marrying Rachel). Its dramatic license and she does not claim to be writing new Scripture or anything... but when it comes to their pagan practices, I was really disturbed. I don't know what my point it... I just wish, on this point, she had stuck with the true story. Its ironic because I enjoyed the first section of this book most of all and that was the most pagan! I just threw off the fact that Diamant was retelling a Bible story and pretended it was entirely fiction. In short, I highly recommend this book to every woman, especially if anyone feels the need to feel uplifted in her femininity. Feminists need to read this book- hopefully they will come to realize that there is equal value in being a housewife and a mother than there is in being a CEO or a lawyer (and having the homelife be the center of your life)- you might not get paid, but the spiritual significance, the absolutely vital importance of these roles in the life of the world cannot be matched by any job. I believe this may be what Diamant is saying, in the end. This is what I got out of it, at least.
Rating:
Summary: Midwives, Women's Mysteries and Spirituality Lovers....
Review: this book is for you! Even though the plot is inspired from the old testiment I can imagine that the reading would go past the comfort level of most conservative, religious types. I work at a University Library so I read a lot of books and I usually don't buy books. However, I will buy this book! It is a "must have" in my opinion. My 15 year old daughter and I both read it and loved it. As I said, I'm not too sure that people who are attached to their religious doctrine would be able to handle this book. However those of you who have a deep respect for women, the mystery traditions, midwifery and consider themselves open-minded, you will really love this! It is one of the most well written books I have ever read. I only wish there were more books written about biblical women with this kind of care and progressive thinking. I think it would heal so many of us. I was very surprised by the people who wrote that the book was too politically correct. I can only say that this opinion may come from fairly conservative types who aren't yet comfortable with the topics that arise through the reading. If you do end up buying this book I do hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
Rating:
Summary: CAN THIS BE HIGHER RANKED THAN "THE ENGLISH PATIENT"?
Review: It's enjoyable, and somewhat creative. But should Anita Diamont's book get more stars than Ondaatje's English Patient. One's a good read, the other should NOT BE MISSED.
Rating:
Summary: The kind of novel I'd love to write
Review: The Red Tent is one of the best historical novels I've read in something like 10 years. I don't think its as good as Mists of Avalon, by MZB: Actually, I think its much better, because it is more daring in the revisionist, feminist stance it takes. And yet, it does what only the best novels in any genre do, it draws the reader deftly into a different reality, a 'dream' making that dream live and breathe. If I were going to make a positive comparisons it would be to the fictional explorations of ancient Greek life, myth,and legend by Mary Renault and to the more recent fantasy works of Guy Gavriel Kay, because of the clear, vividly painted prose images all three of these novelists evoke. I have recommended this book to many of my friends, and would to almost any lover of historical fiction, especially those who are open to seeing a 'familiar' story in a new way. Ms Diamant draws us into an understanding of the 'foremothers' of Judaism, of how women's lives were both separate from men's in that culture,and of how deeply they were interwoven. I am in her debt for that understanding, and for the very enjoyable read she gave me in the process.
Rating:
Summary: I would include this book in my "best ever" category
Review: This is the story of Dinah the only daughter of Jacob. Dinah is only mentioned in a few places in Genesis, yet it was great to see how Ms. Diamant maintained the integrity of the references and expanded the story. She has also maintained historical accuracy for the period and obviously did so with great research and integrity. If I had alot of money, I would buy this book for everyone I love.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Diamant has produced an excellent historical novel. This book adds insight into the forgotten world of pre-Christian womanhood. The characters vary from diabolical to sympathetic as the author traces the life of Dinah. The menstrual tent is a mostly-forgotten and usually misunderstood source of sisterhood. As I read I wished I could be part of such a close group of women.
Rating:
Summary: Au Contraire
Review: The Red Tent is an honest look at Eastern Mediterranean womanhood long before the stir of liberation. It deserves respect as a resplendent narrative of love and acquiescence to the inevitabilities of women's lives in Canaan. Dinah is the type of woman who overcomes and survives because she takes power where it is offered and puts curiosity to work as a medical tool that saves lives, both male and female. Living in memory and a perpetually renewed love of family and children, she triumphs over regret. In maturity, she willingly seeks a new love that sweeps over her much as birth pangs announce the arrival of her son. An honored sage femme, she embraces a celestial reward--reunion in the afterlife with her beloved mothers, the wives of Jacob. This motif is neither trivial nor PC--it's universal.
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