The Red Tent

Rating:
Summary: What a fascinating perspective!
Review: The major plot points in the book do come directly from the Old Testemant, but that's not what the book is about; it's about the relationships among four women - basically, the equivilent of sisters - who grew up together and who married the same man and who all raised their children together - the rivalries, jealousies and interpersonal relationships they have with each other. Yes, it makes Jacob and Issac look pretty bad - and of course, Jacob's sons never have come off looking like good guys, given the whole Joseph story, but the failings of the men and women in these ancient times makes them more human. Judaism does not have saints, and I have never expected any of the Patriarchs or Matriarchs to be holy in every minute of their lives - which may be why I was willing and able to suspend disbelief.

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Summary: Significant Historical Discrepancies detract from Great Read
Review: While I thoroughly enjoyed the vivid characterizations and appreciated having a context in which to place some of these hard to remember stories of the Old Testament, I found the discrepancies between fact and fiction disconcerting. Diamant makes the disclaimer that all characters are fictitious but clearly she has borrowed facts and characters from history embellishing and altering along the way. Perhaps this would not be troublesome if all of us had a firm handle on what the historical facts and details from these stories are but sadly most of us are lacking in that area. Read the book and enjoy her obvious literary talent but consider reading the book of Genesis simultaneously if you are interested in maintaining historical accuracy on some significant issues.

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Summary: I loved the mother daughter relationship
Review: This book was a marvellous story that both my mother and I absolutely loved. It really brought to life the characters it portrayed, and I was given a brilliant view of one of the periods of life you hardly ever hear about. It really made me appreciate how much my mother did for me, and I could empathise very easily with Dinah and all of her mothers. If you've ever been a daughter or a mother, this is a book you need to read.

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous storytelling!
Review: What a compelling view of the women in the Old Testament! I was really impressed by Dinah's tenacity. Diamant intertwined reverence for our mothers, beautiful love stories, invincible friendships and difficult journeys in this novel. Keep a box of tissues nearby, and let yourself become entranced by Dinah's magical world.

Rating:
Summary: A well-told story
Review: I genuinely liked this book. Although some of it felt like a 1990's woman version of what might have happened in Biblical times and not entirely in keeping with the era, the story was well-told and kept my interest. It did make me want to learn more about the Bible, though, which was important.

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Summary: Thought Provoking
Review: Overall, I enjoyed the book very much, and found it very thought provoking. While important to remember that it is fiction based on some biblical data, it nonetheless provides an interesting glimpse into what life may have been like for women so long ago. I found it a little slow at the start, but it becomes so engrossing later that it was impossible to put the book down.

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Summary: Wow! Write another one!
Review: This is Diament's first foray into fiction, and dear God let it not be her last. The story of Dinah, sole daughter of Jacob (of the Ladder fame) and sister of Joseph (of the colored coat), has until now been told only by a few cryptic lines in the Old Testament. Diament has taken these lines and turned the story of Joseph's colored coat upside down. Never again are you going to listen to Donny Osmond sing about his Technicolored Dreamcoat again and not snicker. A true woman-power type of book, this story chronicles Dinah's childhood, her first love and how he was brutally murdered by her brothers, how she cursed her family, and how she came to Egypt. The ending, while not entirely satisfactory, for some reason has an incredibly right ring to it. At the end of the novel, and knowing what happened to the Jews in Egypt, you are left wondering how much of Dinah's curse still resonates today. You are also left knowing Dinah's grief so well that if you had been she, you would have likely made the curse a thousand times stronger. Please, Anita, write another story like this! Make the Bible's women come alive again!

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Summary: A bond with the women of our past
Review: I think every reader would find a connection to Dinah. To me, it was a beautiful story of a woman's life.. of her aging into an adult, her closeness with the women around her, her relationships with men- romantically and otherwise, childbirth, death and the trials and errors of being a woman. Above all though, I think it paints a strong picture of what life was like for women during Biblical times. I especially enjoyed the subject of midwifery... the herbs used and the bonds and spirituality that is tied to it. I definately would argue that this is one of the most interesting and influential books I've read. I've already mailed out a copies to my mom and my sisters!

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Summary: Absolutely Captivating!
Review: Having 5 years of formal jewish education, I read The Red Tent with a stable biblical background although it was starting to fade with time. Reading Diamant's novel made me feel so close to my roots that I was literally crying my eyes out toward the end. The main reason for my sentimental reaction was Dinah's strengh and faith in herself which I found absolutely overwhelming. We will never know what really happened but true or not, this book is a doorway to many people's lost or faded Judaism. The novel is truly a masterpiece in its language, its characters and most of all its story which made this book one of my all time favorites.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Reading
Review: I enjoyed the book immensely. Have not read anything this interesting since "Pope Joan." I had to keep reminding myself that the book is fiction based on some facts from the Bible. Being somewhat familiar with the Book of Genesis, I knew things that were going happen before I read them, but loved how the author intertwined fiction and facts from the Bible. It made reading this book that much more exciting. If you remember that this is a novel and not biblical truths, then you can't help but enjoy the book. My only criticism is that "The Red Tent" does not come in large print and I really would like my mother-in-law to read it. Perhaps you can get word to the publisher regarding large print editions. I am anxiously awaiting Anita Diamant's next novel!