The Red Tent

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Summary: Entering the world of women
Review: I really can't understand why so many reviewers got so upset about this book.It's NOT an exerpt from the bible-it's a novel!It's a celebration of womanhood and all its mysteries and, although I found the first half to be a bit "bloody" with its very descriptive passages of girls growing into womanhood, the close bonding of these women of different ages is very warming and real and the tender care that they give each other denotes a true sisterhood.I enjoyed the second half more as it seemed to flow a little more smoothly but I'd recommend it to any female of a certain age as a guide to what a real and caring relationship can be between women.

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Summary: An Honest Life-Story
Review: My daughters have also read this book, and each of us has been affected differently by it. I am in middle-age. Looking back on my own life, I'm able to see "the what-ifs"; to know how the choices I made affected the long-term; to accept the bad I have known as well as the good, because it put me where I am today. I know that Life is bitter-sweet, and that the bitter makes the sweet taste sweeter. "The Red Tent" gives this lesson, along with Hope in the midst of despair, and Compassion that grows from deeply-healing wounds. This beautifully-written book uses a familiar story, pulled into the light of what human life is really like. It was an honor for me to step inside Dinah's life.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: When I first saw this book it was back in 2001 after I had lost my baby girl. I couldn't read it then. Then in March this year my lecturer at my Bible Class recommended this book. I felt that I could relate to Dinah. The way the story was written was good and it was a real eye opener. But then, read it and believe what you will. It's your door to understanding more about the way the Jews treated women.

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Summary: My Best Book of the Year
Review: I read this for a book club, where it engendered a fascinating discussion. What a rich, full life Diamant has imagined for Dinah in a time and place that we know so little about the daily life of women.

Rating:
Summary: Every woman must read this book
Review: The Red Tent is such an intriguing celebration of women. Based on a brief story in the Bible, Diament leads us into the lives of some amazing women. The novel stresses the importance of female relationships, that are lacking in contemporary society, and emphasises the gift of storytelling.

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Summary: The RED TENT has earned a place of honor on my book shelf...
Review: First, I would like to clarify that this book isn't only for religious people or those with a strong biblical interest or knowledge. The Red Tent is a story that celebrates women, sisterhood, and offers characters that will speak to your heart, entertain, and enlighten. Each of the women Diamant introduces "speak" to a different aspect of the reader. This novel serves as a reminder to women in our fast paced, driven, and often conflicted society, that although our lives are very different from the women that came before us, WE aren't so very different and their stories offer lessons that resonate deeply within each of us. Ultimately, a real page turner -- read it over a weekend, couldn't put it down, and was sad when it ended.

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Summary: Not a religious book so be forwarned
Review: There has been a recent jump in the number of fictional accounts of the Patriarch Jacob, his ancestors and his progeny. Diamant's "The Red Tent" is one of these though told through a female voice. The voice is that of Dinah and her story here is far different from the one you'll encounter in the Biblical text. This could be offensive for some readers so if you personally believe the Bible to be the unerring word of God, don't get this book because you will not like it. However, if you like conflict between peoples, power struggles between the sexes, some fair historical speculation, and a good deal of sorrow, then you may enjoy this book. Dinah herself is an engaging character and her recounting of generations of females memories was an intriguing way to tell this story.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. I was spellbound by the story. I would recommend it to anyone and all women.

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Summary: A book that rises out of darkness like a sunset
Review: Ringing with a pure music that inspired tears from the core of my soul, Dinah's immortal tale of loss and forgiveness stunned me with its simple, clear tones. Though a glowing reflection of the biblical tale, this story stands alone and sings in the heated voice of an un-captured bird. Long this tale has endured, and eternally may it yet.

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Summary: A great tool for biblical study...
Review: This is one of the best books I've found for triggering a desire to look further into the historical stories presented in the Bible. While Ms. Diamant's story may be fiction, it does get one's creative ideas flowing when it comes to those women mentioned only in passing in the Bible. Her take on the story of Dinah (pronounced Dee-nah) from her parents beginnings (Leah and Jacob as well as Rachel and their two handmaidens) to her own beginnings throughout her life to the end of her days is one of passion, commitment, betrayal, and reconciliation. It takes one small passage of scripture and illuminates the "could have beens" for us in today's world. It once again shows that one of the best books in which to find stories of human drama is the Bible. A great read!