Rating: 
Summary: An excellent historical fiction book for women
Review: I've read a lot of fiction that is based (sometimes quite loosely) on historical events. Like much of history itself, a lot of historically-based fiction is often written by and/or about men and tells their stories. This one is different because it is written by a woman and tries to re-create (as fiction) the stories of a group of women from the Old Testament who are barely even mentioned and really only have "footnote" status in the Bible (another book written from a man's point-of-view). From this book I felt like I got a glimpse of what life must have been like for these female protagonists back in Old Testament times. If you've never read the Bible and don't know anything about the Old Testament, don't worry-- no prior knowledge is required here. Just be prepared to become totally immersed in the lives and sagas of these women through the eyes of Dinah.
Rating: 
Summary: Great read!
Review: It is one of the first books in ages, which I found difficult to put down. The book takes place back in biblical times and although fictional in content, it helps the reader see what the daily life of the woman went through back then; from marriage to child-bearing and than death. The reason I gave it 4 out of five stars is because the first 40-50 pgs, seemed to drag. Yet, once to get past that, you get to know and feel for all the characters in the book. It was definetly a rollar coaster ride.
Rating:
Summary: We are all of one mother...
Review: Amazing book! So far, I have given this book to my sister and my pregnant best friend and both have LOVED it! This book will lift you up. Not only is it an amazing account of women during biblical times, the echoes of Dinah's life resonate in my life today with richness and strength. Whether you are 15 or 85, this book will touch your heart and remind you of the universal sisterhood, motherhood, friendship-hood, womanhood and "being-hood" we all share as inhabitants of this planet Earth (think Mother Earth). "If you sit on the bank of a river, you see only a small part of its surface. And yet, the water before your eyes is proof of unknowable depths." GET THIS BOOK!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A good story but disappointing
Review: This story was interesting in it's historical value, but I was expecting the story to at least mention God. This was Jacob's family - Joseph, Ben, Judah, etc. God is never mentioned in this book. This book is just a story, one that will hold your interest, but it is not inspirational, scriptural, or spiritual. If you read it, just read it for a story. That's all.
Rating: 
Summary: Themes of the book concerning
Review: Although beautifully written, I cannot endorse this book in any way. To say that this book takes liberties with the Bible story is to understate the problem in the extreme. This book contains reincarnation, violence, graphic sex, and implied beastiality. This book in no way illuminates the real themes of the story of Jacob's family: Division and reconcilliation, jealousy and forgiveness, and the redeeming power of God's love.
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking and Refreshing
Review: The Red Tent was captivating. It reminds me of the quote that a fire that burns quick, quickly burns out. This book was a slow fire that grew into a wild fire. It is unlike any recently written novel. The story was so unusual and it took you to places that you could not even imagine. The book is addicting and I can hardley wait to read it again!
Rating:
Summary: The Red Tent
Review: Excellent Read! This book demonstrates the closeness of women during a time when women were relegated to "The Red Tent", for a perfectly natural happening. However, during this time they were in control, the tent was their's alone and men were forbidden to enter. It is here they share their secrets, dreams and desires. There are also pitfalls, they must, and do work through. It is about love, hate, lust, desire and the ultimate friendships between women. I recommend this book for everyone, men and women.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful fiction!
Review: Having a Christian background, I was well versed in the biblical narrative that is the background for this book. I have read much in the reviews about how anti-Christian this book is. I did not find it to be so. It is FICTION, and pretends to be nothing else. It was not written to replace the biblical account. I found that knowing the characters from the Bible made this more enjoyable. It gave me a reference point for what may have been incorrect, as well as some never-before-considered insight into what might have been. For instance, it is not safe to assume that when Jacob appeared on the scene, that Leah, Rachel and their families immediately gave up their pagan gods. Even the Bible includes the account of Rachel stealing her father's household Gods when they parted company. They may or may not have changed their devotion as life went on, but they certainly must have had a different point of reference than someone who was raised knowing the God of Abraham. The women in this story do come off as second-class citizens in society. This may offend modern sensibilities, but face it - that was the way it was in that time period. The book brought the Biblical story to life - not in every detail, but in general terms of living as one of several wives in a nomadic culture; of life spent as a family usually quite separate from the rest of society. The author has woven a wonderful tale, giving life to names that are only mentioned in the Bible in relation to their husband Jacob. I have loaned this book to 3 different friends, who all loved it.
Rating:
Summary: What a shame
Review: The reading was good, the characters playing typical parts - lover, evil father, jealous brothers, etc and everything about the book made it hard to put down. So why the low grade? Well, it's about history. This was written about characters of the Bible and there is aboslutely no realistic element to this story. At best it is an excellent Mills & Boon romance novel. To write a story making out the patriachs and matriachs as little more then petty minded people living with problems similar with problems we encounter today takes away the beauty and the spiritual entity that is the Bible. How dare a book lay claim that Dina was having a torid love affair when in the Bible she was raped (and that is one example of the appalling mistakes). There is absolutely no connection with reality here. If the author wished to make a typical romance novel, she should have chosen characters of a different era or made the characters up. This book is fictional and to use names that are a reality is twisted. I hope my comments are read and a person considering buying this book will think better of it and either read the Bible and relevant sources or go and buy a nice pretty fiction romance.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story for all women
Review: I loved this book! I read it for my bookclub, and at first was skeptical, but this book left me wanting more! You really get a great depiction of the lives of women of this time period. The vast differences between the lives they lived and the lives we are so fortunate to have today is amazing. Yet the bond between mothers and daughters, sisters and friendships transcends the time lines. These women also were married with children, but the roads they travelled and their struggles were so vastly different than our own. I would highly recommend this book, although do keep the family tree in the front of the book bookmarked as the family is so large you can get off track with the realtions at times. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
|
