The Red Tent

Rating:
Summary: what might have been
Review: We recently had a book review at our Temple by the Rabbi. This event was well attended and there was not a person there who did not enjoy this book. The book has some interesting twists and turns. The book is well written, easy to read. The story is thought provoking and may give you new insight and a new vision of Women's roles in Biblical times. Diamant's interpretation of what might have been relates well to areas of the Bible,that are extremely limited in explanation relating to women. Focus on the message of what really is the spiritual and symbolic meaning of The Red Tent. Read it...you will like it....If you are a Biblical Scholar and not open- minded then find another book.

Rating:
Summary: The Red Tent
Review: This book was not what I expected from reading the other reviews. This book is not Biblical!!! The only thing she took from the Bible were the names. It should be looked at as a TOTALLY fictional story. It was good reading until about half way through, then it got kind of slow.

Rating:
Summary: Provocative, insightful, yet somewhat disappointing
Review: Diamant takes a bare-boned Biblical tale and gives it flesh, blood, color, and skin. It doesn't matter if it's accurate or not; accuracy would be impossible to prove anyway. And besides, she's not trying to fool anyone: she does call it a novel, which is by definition a work of fiction. The result is an interesting tale and an appreciation for and closeness with the female characters of the book. Often when reading the Bible, we're too lazy or busy to take the time to imagine what it meant to pack up and move with flocks of sheep and goats and food and belongings. I am thankful for Diamant's efforts in having elucidated aspects such as these for us.

From a literary point of view, however, I was disappointed. Contrary to other reviewers, I do not feel that Diamant is talented in "turning a phrase" or that she has "poetic language." In fact, I found her language frustrating at best, mixing modern expressions with forced Biblical language... which is only called "Biblical language" because we have become accustomed to old translations. I found her style dry and, ironically, not particularly feminine. I also tired of her repeated adjectives, such as "mortified," which was always too extreme a word for the situation.

Diamant's purpose is never entirely clear--I disagree that she is male-bashing, since Dinah has appreciation for several of her brothers and a strong admiration for Jacob in his younger days. It is only after the murders that she turns against him.

The plot is vague until about 2/3 of the way through, at which time it becomes simultaneously evident and predictable. Nonetheless, the details of female life during this time period and the relationships being established carry the reader through all this.

Sometimes the characters seem forced to be so different; Diamant's efforts become transparent especially when characterizing Jacob's wives. Other characterizations are simply hard to believe: are 13-year-old girls really capable of such profound romantic relationships and gratifying sexual experiences in their wedding beds?

Many of the actions seem unjustified or out of character. Diamant fails to sufficiently prepare her characters in certain situations. For example, why would a good and honorable man like Jacob, who took the time to walk equally with each wife and show tenderness in ways that shows he understands their different personalities, suddenly be so cruel with Dinah's fiancé? Does he agree with the action, or does he become suddenly spineless?

Furthermore, many doors are opened which are never closed or passed through. What do Joseph and Dinah experience that they swear to secrecy, and what effect does that have on the story? What attacks Jacob, and again, what affect does that have on the story? Why would the old midwife make the strong prophecy that Dinah would be at peace near a river, which could have been the beginning of a plot, only to be proven wrong as a sort of afterthought near the end of the book? Why would Diamant name Dinah's second husband "Benia," the same name as Joseph's youngest brother, and then have Joseph comment on the coincidence, without having any reason for it? Why does Dinah check in the pond to see her aging reflection, when she asked for a mirror during the birth of her son? Why can't she forgive Joseph, who is also treated horribly by their brothers and who had not agreed to the murders in Shechem?

Nevertheless, despite these criticisms, the novel works because in the end, a good story has been told, and it has the fine quality of tying up a lot of (but not all) loose ends in a clever way.

I'm sure I didn't appreciate her suggestion that Joseph was a homosexual anymore than anyone else did, or any other of her "Biblical inaccuracies," if we can call them that--because they destroy happy images we created for ourselves in Sunday School (among other reasons). But it is the author's creative license to do what she wants with her characters, and if anything else, it challenges us to defend our beliefs even more strongly or to read the Bible with a more critical eye, which are the kinds of things which lead to better understanding and truth. An artist who can have this sort of effect on her audience certainly can not be considered unsuccessful. Her art has accomplished its goal through its provocative read.

Rating:
Summary: I guess I just don't get it.
Review: After reading the 5 star reviews on the web, I purchased the Red Tent. Being a lover of historical fiction, I thought I was in for a real treat. I guess I just don't get it because I had to force myself to finish this book. I got into the characters alright but halfway through the book they were gone. The part that had the most profound affect on me was when Dinah had to accept the fact that she would always be distant from her son. I think it is since their life and customs are so unfamiliar to me that I found it hard to follow. I'm not familiar with a lot of Bible stories.

Rating:
Summary: You MUST read this book
Review: What an outstanding piece of work! I have read very few books that I've enjoyed as much as this. It is so beautifully written, I felt the earth and smelled the straw as I was transported to Canaan and Egypt. I just cannot give enough praise for this book, I would have chosen more stars if there was an option to! I whole-heartedly recommend this to anyone, female and male alike.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: The Red Tent is a fictionalized account about the biblical figure Dinah, Jacob's daughter. Anita Diamant uses the last half of Genesis as the basic framework for her novel. She then embelishes the gaps in the Old Testament with "what might have happened". Of course her detailed writings are fiction, but it is interesting to read familiar stories from the female perspective.

I enjoyed the novel, and liked the second half of the book better than the first. When starting the novel, I found myself frequently looking at the family tree at the beginning of the book. As the novel progressed, family dynamics changed dramatically, the narration blossomed and I was drawn into the lives of the characters. The Red Tent is worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Weaving & Unraveling
Review: [A note to Bible believing people:

This is not a biblical novel! Although based on characters created by the Bible, those who seek anything other than a deeper appreciation of life in Patriarchal Times (as opposed to patriarchal times--in which we still live), will be disappointed if not outraged. If you cannot set aside (at least long enough to enjoy this book) your knowledge of how the stories surrounding Jacob's family "really" happened, do not pick this book up, it will frustrate you.]

This poignant tale of community built and then unraveled, showcases solid research about life in the ancient near east. Although characters originate in the Bible, their behaviors are frequently explained far differently than in the corresponding Biblical stories. My recurrent response was "that's not how I thought it happened, but it's not an impossible explanation."

This didn't distract for long, however. Diamante writes to connect with the heart, not just boggle the mind. We become entranced, sucked into the community of Laban's daughters. We find their experiences awakening our own longings to connect. As the novel progresses, we feel the torn fabric of our own community in Dinah's tragedy and isolation.

Listen, guys, you who always complain that women cannot be understood--read this book! If you don't get it, read it again. And again. Reflect on the men in this book. Reflect on how their lives impacted the women around them. CONSIDER YOUR LIFE IN THIS LIGHT. Or, continue grousing over your lite beer. Keep on complaining about women to your buddies at the sports bar. Perhaps that =IS= more satisfying, after all.

Five stars for a great story. Five stars for handling "historical" material fairly & with novelty. Five stars for research (I've read a bit on the ancient near east & this this novel doesn't contradict any of it). Five stars for writing with a heart.

(If you'd like to dialogue about this review, please click on the "about me" link above & drop me an email. Thanks!)

Rating:
Summary: Questionning
Review: I found the book both disturbing and compelling. Though the story is a fictional account, it is built around fact. The writer tends to blur the line between fact and fiction. This raises an alarm for me, and should for any biblical scholar. I am a questionning and analytical reader, and often attempt to interpret the writers intent, and look for subtle and not so subtle themes in a work. Diamant thoroughly misrepresented the character of Bilhah, and so distored the picture, it gives me cause as to why. First in the lineage chart in the front of the book she shows Bilhah as only having one son when it is reported in the book of Genesis, chapter 30 that she had two, Dan and Napthali. She also lessened this character's place in the group, when it was Zilpah(Leah's maid) who went into to Jacob last to conceive. Bilhah was the third and not fourth "wife". As a Christian and bible scholar I am aware that the events in biblical times happened in and during everyday occurances, however the writing was without and divineness. Many of the characters were conniving, malicious, self-serving, and mean spirited. Beauty is again reprsented as golden (Rachel). I would suspose one reason pagan rituals (worshipping other gods) were not discussed in depth in the Bible is because they were frowned upon and not encouraged. Some parts of the book were repetitive and slow, however to develop an everyday account around a character is compelling. Diamant does have a gift of building a fantasy. I would always preface these issues when/if I recommend it as a read.

Rating:
Summary: How The Red Tent affected me...
Review: This book is an interesting read but is definetly a work of fiction. It adds much to the lives of these historical figures which is not based on biblical scriptures. If you know the Bible you may become offended about midpoint by the direction the author takes these historical characters. This book left me with a sense of sadness for all the people who read it and will believe it as truth.

Rating:
Summary: if you are a woman, read this book!
Review: After reading a brief description of this work in O magazine, I purchased the book and could not put it down! Fictionally narrated by Dinah, Jacob's only daughter, the author not only reveals intimate details of Dinah's life, but also provides readers with a glimpse of what life might have been like for females in biblical times. Although I am not a regularly practicing Jew, the book did leave me with a strong desire to know more about my religion and explore my roots! I definitely recommend this wonderfully engaging book to any woman, regardless of religious orientation. After finishing the work I hope all women are left with the same strong,feminine feeling and bond with this biblical figure that I experienced!