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Summary: Review for "The Red Tent"
Review: Although I had a few theological issues with this book, it was clearly well-researched and well thought out. It is a deep look at the silenced characters of the Bible (the women), without whom, there would be no stories at all. This is a deep look into the lives of the women of this time, a culture that many of us have never thought much about. Reading this book will give people a better understanding of the culture surrounding the Biblical stories, as well as getting the reader to question what lies between the lines of these stories. It will give the reader a much deeper understanding of and appreciation for what the people within this culture dealt with.
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Summary: An absorbing read!
Review: While I'm fond of historically-based fiction, this is one of my first perusals into fiction based on a biblical story. I really didn't know what to expect, fearing that maybe it would get preachy or try to re-write the Bible in strange ways. I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the storytelling!Anita Diamant manages to take basic facts and weave them into a rich, detailed tale that gives voice to women. Her voice is the voice of the main character, Dinah, who is the daughter of Jacob and one of his four wives. She focuses on the lives of these women, the lines that are drawn, the varying roles they play, and the sacred times in the Red Tent itself. Her details are compelling and sensual. The structure of the novel is odd, though. Usually a novel begins with a harrowing, tragic event. In this novel, the tragedy is halfway into the story. Rather than settling down for a denoument after this, the story continues into a kind of tacked-on story in a brand new setting, more Egyptian, that is not told with the same surety and finesse. Just when we're getting used to Dinah's new circumstances, they change again and she is taken even farther away into a simple married life. Somehow it doesn't quite jibe with the rest of the story and instead of reading it because I was enjoying it so much, I found myself reading it in hopes that it would get better. Still, the book deserves 4 stars and deserves to be read. One just can't help wondering how great the book would have been if the author had chosen a different adult life for Dinah.
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Summary: Beautiful story
Review: This book is absolutely beautiful and tragic at the same time. This story stays with me and I felt as if I was living another life through Anita Diamont. I recommend it to anyone willing to get caught up in the most romantic tale.
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Summary: It grabbed me from the very first page!
Review: I enjoyed this book immensely. I literally could not put it down. It was so affirming to hear this story told from a woman's perspective. The comraderie and true connectedness of the ancient sisterhood leaves a lot to be desired in our modern-day isolated liberation. I found myself not wanting the story to end!
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Summary: WOW! One of the best books I've ever read!
Review: As a Dianic Wiccan I was all prepared to write a sarastic little put-down of El and those who choose to worship Him, but this book is so wonderful that it transcends anything like that! Dinah's story is so moving and powerful. I can't imagine any Wombon of any faith that would fail to be deeply moved by this WONDERFUL Mistresswork. My favorite parts are the times when they are in the Red Tent and sharing Wombonlore and Goddesslore. I also really, really, like the parts about the different Birthings that take place. The Birthing Song is lovely! I like this book so much that I've ordered a copy for myself! If a die-hard, radical femminist, Dianic Witch like me likes this book, you know it must be good!
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Summary: It's a NOVEL, a work of FICTION
Review: In a word, this book is "controversial." Why? Because it has some basis in religious history, and religion is always a controversial subject. I enjoyed this book emmensely because I never stopped thinking of it as a work of fiction. As a novel, it has no obligation to be biblically or historically accurate. The fact that some of the characters ARE based on persons in the bible, definately enhances the story. However, I would have given The Red Tent four stars if all of the characters been entirely fictional. It's a well-written and compelling read that unfortunately slows down in the final 1/3 of the book. Still, I have and will continue to recommend it.
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Summary: Absolutely fantastic!
Review: I absolutely love this book! What a masterpiece! There is a description on the back of this book that states something similar to: if the bible were written by a female, this is what it would be. I couldn't agree more! For anyone who has even the most remote interest in the bible, this is a must-read. Even for people who haven't the slightest interest in it, this book is amazing. I love to read, and have read many books, but this is by far, one of my favorites. It made me smile; it made me cry. It is an absolutely beautiful story. I didn't think I would be interested in it, or enjoy it. It was given to me as a gift, and I could not have been more wrong. Buy it... you won't be sorry!
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Summary: Sacredness of Women and womanhood
Review: I am shocked and amazed at the readers who did not love this book. It was a wonderful story of sisterhood, envy, broken trust, forgivenss, restoration, atonement and healing. Even if one does not agree with the events (polygomy and sexism) in the book there is much to love. The writing was excellent, for example; descriptions of the love scenes, the sacredness of the womb, mentstration and childbirth. Those who are familiar with rituals can see the connection to days of old negative or positive. Dinah tells the story of how here circle of sisters upheld and practiced these rituals with reverence. Later in the story you see the contrast of women from other circles who do not value the rituals and therefore do not value themselves. As women we are all midwives because we are keepers of ritual and pass on our values of divinity mind, body and spirit. Most pivitol in this is that men are kept out of women's business. No man knew what was going on in the Red Tent and therefore it was respected until some misunderstood the importance of it all later in the story. I close saying that depending on what your references are culturally, spiritually or personally this story reflects that perspective. My hope is that it will change, renew or redefine it as a result of this colorful explanation through the lens of Dinah. The barbarian philosophies and actions still exist in The New Millenium however it is the responsibility as womb-an to call forth the divine and activate or reactivate sacred rituals for our own self care. Read it and pass it on,
LT
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Summary: Moving and raw.
Review: I just finished the red tent and I am still in tears.This book moved me in ways I can't explain.Though definatly not for everyone,this is a book that will live forever on my shelves!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I'm writing this review in response to other discouraging reviews, because I consider this book to be one of the best I have ever read. I read about 3 or 4 books a week, so I have a pretty broad base to compare this book to others, and there truly is no comparison. It took me a week and a half to finish this book, only because I forced myself to put it down, because I never wanted it to end.
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