Rating: 
Summary: Fufilling Read for Women
Review: Our book club read "The Red Tent" and thoroughly enjoyed it. We are made up of Christian women, and while "El" the God of Jacob doesn't act as a character in the book, we found the Jewish and pagan perspectives insightful. Most of us hadn't thought about the harsh life women during Dinah's time would have endured and were especially pleased with the fortifying relationships the women had with one another. I liked the romance between Jacob and his wives and relished the birthing stories. Dinah's encouraging relationship with four mothers inspired me to be more positive with my own daughter. Diamant definitely brings the passions of Dinah to life in a way that the Bible totally leaves out. We found the ending satisfying as well. I've recommended it as a very good read to my friends. Don't expect the typical Biblical characterizations here - Diamant reads deep into the character's circumstances and creates motivations and dialog based on them. A worthwhile read and purchase!
Rating:
Summary: An unusual read
Review: This novel is based on the story of Jacob in the Bible, but it is written from a woman's point of view. The story is told by Dinah, daughter of Jacob and his four wives. The Red Tent is where the women go when having their periods or giving birth, so five days out of the month they are in the tent. Not a bad idea if you get bad PMS! Maybe we should bring it back!Anyway, if you are not familiar with the Old Testament of the Bible, you may want to read the story of Jacob first before you read this novel as it will help to make more sense to you. If you are familiar with the Old testament, you will probably enjoy the story more than your typical religious lesson would allow. It is a good way to learn more about the Bible if you find reading the Bible too dry. The author tends to personalize the characters very well which makes them easier to identify with--she makes them more human and realistic. I enjoyed this book!
Rating: 
Summary: obsessed with sex
Review: I found the book to be teribbly obsessed with one thing, and one thing only - sex. While realizing that Biblical people were human and certainly procreated, this book seemed to be more about one woman's fictional sexual growth than about the truths that are in the Bible. The book jacket says that this book is the way the Bible would have been written if it had been written by a female. I think not.
Rating: 
Summary: A worthwhile read
Review: This was one of the best books I've read in a long time. Diamant's female characters are fully realized,beautiful and flawed. Neither are they secondary to the men-- they have their own tales and culture that in many ways is completely distinct from their husbands and brothers.
This book artfully renders the mother-daughter relationship in a time when no one paid much attentions to daughter or mothers.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I read this book with no expectations of enjoying it. Was I ever surprised. I found Anita Diamant to be a fantastic story teller, and would highly recommend this book. For me, it was one of those books I had a hard time setting down, and I was sad when it ended. I just wanted to keep reading and reading.
Rating:
Summary: A great piece of fiction
Review: A wonderful book overall and a nice job at a very popular theme --giving voice to minor characters. I was surprised that this was not a particularly biblical book. The seed of Judaism is only a small part of the story, and the God of the Bible has no real presence. This is why I do not agree with some reviewers who are upset with the book as "not historical fiction," or somehow lacking true biblical knowledge. While I believe Ms Diamant is very familiar with the stories on which this is based, I also believe she was writing fiction - a story from the perspective of a woman at the turn of the 21st century. I found the story compelling and extremely readable.
Rating:
Summary: Roots of a long, long war...seeds of love eternal
Review: The Red Tent was a gift to me from my sister-friend, Diana. I began reading it in late August, 2001...completing it in short time, enjoying every unfolding scene. I began to realize that this "ancient story" is one that has not ended, but has continued over hundreds and hundreds of years.
In an effort to take in the events of 9/11...to understand " the roots of our world in conflict" I re-visited The Red Tent and found a story that now has become a daily focus in our media. The story of the tribal woman and her humble, compassionate ways of serving, in order to survive in a world dominated by raw male, animal instinct.; his warring nature. Reading The Red Tent, you will find a study of the roots of men at war and the constant effort of tribal women to plant seeds of love...with each passing of the lunar cycle for them comes a new opportunity. The keys to understanding the mystery of this current cycle of challenges we know as modern life, are given in this wonderful story. I applaude Ms. Diamant's storytelling skill and the colorful pictures she paints with her words. This book is a blessing. Share it with your son, your daughter and your mom...Don't miss it!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: This is a wonderful and powerful story of women under the opression of men. Definitely a book I would give to my daughter. The narration is wonderful. I felt as though I was actually living the story! I couldnt put it down and actually read it in 2 days. Just goes to show that women are powerful and there would be no world without us!!
Rating:
Summary: There has been some question about god being here.
Review: God is in these pages and backed scripturally and spiritually. Anita has put together a very realistic and enlightening account. From Moses Book of Genesis the blood of the daughters of Israel is now heard. Fascinating, I am half way through reading it for the second time. I want to recommend another book that is the most enlightening book I have ever read, which also has alot to say about the books of Moses. Karl Maddox book SB 1 or God.
Rating:
Summary: There were women back then?
Review: Holy cow, I loved this book. When my Professor told me I should read this book, because my names Rachel,wife of Jacob, I thought OK. I bought the book, and there it sat for 2 months.Then I read it. In one night no less, I couldn't put it down.I knew some of the stories, Jacob and Esu, Simon and Levi, Joseph and his brothers, so I kinda knew what was there, But I never thought of looking through a womens point of view. I loved this book, it was different from what I normally read, Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele, but some how the same. If you read the book you'll understand. the book, it's a good thing.
| 
