The Red Tent

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Summary: First re-writing history - now the Bible!
Review: I got one-third through the book before I quit reading it. It was not because of the development and furtherance of the Bible story, but I got tired of reading about a woman's time of the month, birthing, adventures with sheep, and jerky men. If the author had taken the story and made it into an allegory or a separate story, but her re-writing of Bible bothered, plus the fact that she made so feminist. Nothing against feminism, but one must take into context the time when this story happened and not compare it to today's standards. There were bad times back then, but there were good times also. Basically, though, I just lost interest in this book.

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Summary: Insightfull, yet slow.....
Review: I didn't know what to expect from this book when I started reading it. And not being very knowlegeable on the Old Testament I wasn't very familiar with some of the traditions mentioned in the book. I found myself looking at the family tree at the beginning of the book constantly trying to remember all the characters. It was pretty slow reading and I got tired of reading over and over again about all the births taking place in the red tent. If you got extra time in your hands, read it, it takes you to a very interesting time in the world.

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Summary: Fantastic book
Review: This book is utterly incredible-different from anything I have ever read. I cried at the last page knowing I would miss the characters immensely-go get it!

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Summary: Interesting yet disappointing...Read the original version
Review: I know I am in the minority here, and I'm sorry that I didn't find the book as enjoyable as the other readers. I must admit that this book was interesting as I did learn a few things about the traditions back in those days. I also liked the author's writing style; however, I feel that the author rewrote the original story that was in the Bible. As a young Christian woman, I thought that this book would give me some great insight on women's faith back in those days. Unfortunately, it was the wrong kind of faith as most of the book seems to be talking about other "gods" and "goddesses." I wish I never read this book because it "trashed" the characters of many important people of the Bible (i.e., Jacob, Rebecca, and especially Joseph). Like another reader here, I also would not recommend this book to other Christian believers as this book had some very graphic sexual details and again the trashing of many Bible heroes. Thank goodness I didn't waste any money on this book (as I borrowed it from the library). It's an interesting tale here; however, the original version in the Bible is so much better. Good luck with your decision and reading.

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Summary: A Change of Pace
Review: Excellent. Although a little difficult to get into, once it got hold of me, the book wouldn't let go. One way of saying that "life doesn't change" no matter when it takes place.

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Summary: Very Different
Review: As one other reviewer claims, it is extremely slow reading for the first 150 pages or so. I found myself having to look back to the beginning of the book several times to understand the family tree as the members were being introduced. Jacob had so many wives, that it was hard keeping track who was who and which wife had which children. The last half of the book picks up quickly and truly captured my interest. Give this book a chance and don't put it down because it is slow reading to begin with but it is important to get the family tree straight and learn of the mothers stories to understand the latter part of the book. The thing that I liked best about this book though, was the fact that it was so different. So many books are so similiar that after awhile they all seem alike. This book is unlike any other and for this reason I truly enjoyed it.

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Summary: Review of the Red Tent
Review: Disappointing. This book promises an exciting new perspective from the point of view of women of biblical times but I found it tedious and unengaging.

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Summary: Monotheism is bad for women
Review: The Red Tent is a fascinating account of the transition from polytheism and women's power, to monotheism and men's domination. The Red Tent is a readable, enjoyable account of the life of the nomadic early Hebrews at the dawn of montotheism and its corrolary: patriarchy. The spirit of the women sharing the red tent during their menstrual cycles is both captivating and intimately believable. I felt the power emanating from their shared knowledge of vastly important "secrets" such as childbirth, recipes, and family management. As their spirits, as well as their gods, faded into the background, the loss was palpable and ever so real. Bravo for a writer who can transform these (almost) prehistorical women into recognizable "actors" in the drama of the feminist struggle.

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Summary: Looking to build your faith? Read the "original"!
Review: Though I did like the author's writing style I was disappointed to see my "heroes in the faith" from the bible trivialized and in most cases even distorted. The people who praised Ms. Diamante's insight into biblical events appear to me as not having read the "original". If she was trying to just write another story, she did a well enough job, but I don't think that this book will inspire women out there about God or his word - if anything, it will make them more cynical about the roots of judaism and christianity... I would not recommend the book to christian believers out there - some sexual parts are too graphic, and again, are trivializing people we admire...too bad, this story could have really made an impact!

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Summary: Interesting work
Review: This is an interesting book historically and dramatically. The changes made by the author to the biblical story were daring, yet intriguing. Diamont takes the story of Dinah, daughter of Jacob, from Genesis and gives another possible version of how things could have happened. Diamont fleshes out this mysterious woman who is mentioned, what, once? and gives her a chance to speak for herself. The characterizations of the people involved in this story; Leah, Rachel, Zilpah and Bilnah in particular are obviously well thought out and extremely well researched. This book will give you an increased insight into, probably not Dinah, but the way people lived in these biblical times. An immensely enjoyable read.