Rating: 
Summary: Every Woman Should Read This Book!
Review: An outstanding read from the get-go. Whereas it starts a bit slow, I was so mesmerized by the history of the era, that I didn't really notice. The characters are in depth and interesting. I enjoyed the contrast of this book to the actual story in Genesis, which I was coincidentally reading at the same time. It certainly gives the woman's perspective and makes you wonder what the bible might have been like if a woman's perspective were accounted for. It also caused me to appreciate how far we women have come in society. We should be thankful of the choices we now take for granted that women in biblical times could not have dreamed of! At any rate, a wonderful read. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I've ever read!
Review: The Red Tent is an amazing look into a woman's life during biblical times. Whether or not the time period interests you, this book will instantly suck you in. I found that at a certain point I couldn't stop reading. And I was quite disappointed when the book was over. Everyone would enjoy this book!
Rating: 
Summary: A must-read for women
Review: Diamant does a remarkable job of portraying the story of Dinah and her four mothers - all married to the same man. I can't verify the historical accuracy of all aspects of the book. However, for me the point was more to learn about the bonding and fellowship of women. While women today enjoy much more freedom and independance, I fear many have lost the closeness shared by these women. Diamant makes the characters so real the reader is able to identify with at least one of them, if not with aspects of each.
Rating:
Summary: Empowering
Review: I loved this book. I was entertained, and, to a certain extent, educated. The fictional world created by Diamant seemed very plausible, and the book reminded me that throughout the history of the world the contributions and knowledge of women have been frequently ignored and/or forgotten. Through its fictional portrayal this book reminds me that just because it was not written down or remembered, it does not mean it did not exist. To the reviewers who complained that its "not like the Bible" - the book IS FICTION, and, frankly, if you can't handle fiction based on what only some people believe to have been fact, then you may need to consider broadening your scope of the world. To quote - "there are more things in heaven and earth."
Rating:
Summary: The Red Tent
Review: It is so valuable to have friends and family who will stick with you through the hard times. It was great to read about the sanctuary these women felt. A safe harbor in the midst of their storms and crises. This was great reading, moving and tender, yet powerful in the strength of the women who cared for each other. I would not hesitate to read another book by Anita Diamant.
Rating: 
Summary: Tawdry! Insignifcant in the realm of literature!
Review: While not a Biblical scholar, I am quite amused by comments like *breathing life into a woman character in a book written by and for men;* as if Judith, Ester, Abigail, Mary Magdeline and the Virgin Mary didn't count. If Dinah was important, more would have been written about her. Somewhat less amusing is the ignorance displayed regarding the Bible, a book that many consider to be the best ever written. Is no one offended that Ms. Diamont has plagiarized a story handed down for thousands of years? Is our crop of writers so devoid of talent that they stoop to plagiarizing and re-inventing fiction as fact? It is not uncommon for writers to take stories of old and recreate them. Writers as different as Shakespeare and Mishima were inspired by the Bible and its themes. They didn't plagiarize. The Danielle Steele-ing of the story of Jacob is deplorable; moments like Jacob masturbating among the sheep is an example of tawdry moments. Is that good writing or *breathing life* into a character? It makes me ashamed.
Rating:
Summary: The Awesome Book
Review: This book has launched me into a whole new type of literature. I am hooked. I was completely drawn into the story from start to finish.
Rating:
Summary: Heart-breaking!
Review: Although, I have to agree with another reviewer who said that the book only began to interest her about half-way into it, I must say that I am SO glad that I kept on reading. Some critics may say that the story is overdone, with a birth every 5 minutes and I must confess that I shared this sentiment, at first. But by the end of the story, and in some parts in the middle, when I found myself weeping, I could not deny the fact that this was a great book. Not having read the Bible and being unfamiliar with the story of Dinah when I read this, I looked at it from a strictly fictional perspective. Yet, the vivid descriptions and skilled story-telling made the tale come alive and I felt as if I was witnessing events that truly happened. Though, this novel was far from a history book. It may have taken me a while to get
used to the unusual metaphors in the text, but I grew to love the beautiful writing style of the author and each of her characters. All in all, I plan to recommend this book to any and every woman I meet. I say woman because I am uncertain as to how a man would view this form of literature packed with details of menstruation and childbirth. Regardless, I commend the author on creating this extraordinairy MASTERPIECE of a novel! There are no words to describe its brilliance!
Rating:
Summary: What a fabulous book...
Review: Have you ever wondered what it was really like for the women? What did they do? What did they think? How did they act? This book presents one possibility of what could have happened. it is based on the biblical fact but extends beyond that into a world that we just don't know too much about. I recommend this book to anyone who wants another way to view women in that time.
Rating:
Summary: Read This Book! Do not pass Go, Do not collect $200!
Review: I knew I was absolutely head over heels in love with this book while I was reading it on my lunch hour, in a cafe full of people, and was moved to weeping. Not just a few tears - full blown weeping. This book is one of the most beautifully written, heart-breakingly touching and poignant books I've ever read.In part because it paints such a vivid picture of the life of women in biblical times, and in part because it celebrates and makes the reader reflect on the timeless nature of relationships between mothers, daughters, sisters and aunts. I'm so glad I read this book, and I will definitely read it again.
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