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Summary: More than what I expected.
Review: When I started reading this book I really didn't know what to expect.I was very suprised by my reaction.As you go along reading one page after another you start feeling the complexity,the love/hate, jealousy, family conflict and also the brutality of this historical eras primitive existance.This may sound like a contemporary "soap opera" but it's much more than that.It's a learning experience and without giving away the end of the story,when I read the last sentence it put me into such an emotional state that I couldn't stop crying for a while and felt emotionally spent.You read this book and you learn, you smile, you feel revolted and you certainly feel love and closeness. In a nutshell, this book is highly recommended.Enjoy.
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Summary: REWARD YOURSELF WITH THIS READ
Review: Biblical fiction has never been as mesmerizing as it is in this exquisite tale of Dinah, only daughter of Jacob. Anita Diamant's extensively researched epic, twists and turns as readily as the Nile River from whom Dinah supposedly derives her strengths. Adored as an only daughter by loving mothers, betrayed in marriage by savage brothers, forced to bear a burdened cross throughout adulthood, Dinah emerges as a dynamic character of courage and tenacity. The sweeping tale is educational as well as entertaining......the perfect combination. This flawlessly written prose will linger in the reader's mind and heart long after the last page is turned. Dinah's story will never again be just a blurp in biblical text thanks to this most brilliant endeavor!
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Summary: As good as they say it is...
Review: Wow. I am left breathless and awed. I never expected to enjoy a biblical fiction story this much. Full of beautiful language and imagery; reads like a poem or lyrics to a song.This is the story of Dinah, the only sister of 12 brothers born to Jacob and his four wifes -- Leah, Rachel, Zilpah and Bilhah. We only hear of Dinah briefly in the bible; here in The Red Tent, Anita Diamant has given life to Dinah before and after the passages that we know. Told in Dinah's voice, readers will delight in her mothers' stories that are shared within the walls of the red tent. We become witnesses to many births and the sorority of women who gather there. And best of all, Dinah leads us on her journey through life as her traveling companion and dearest friend. The Red Tent is a grand, sweeping story that spans an entire lifetime. Dinah may be the only character I've ever read about that I feel I know completely. Ms. Diamant has created a glorious tale about the strong bonds of motherhood and the power and tenderness of women. Dinah comes full circle in this novel, which is always a pleasure, especially for a character who you care for so desperately.
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Summary: The Red Tent is Genesis Revisited!
Review: For everywoman who has ever wondered what life was really like in Biblical times behind the begats of the fathers, brothers & sons. This is not for the religiously faint-of-heart nor for those who cannot look beyond the poetic & androcentric language of the bestseller of this millennium, for you will be easily offended! No, The Red Tent is for every red-blooded woman who has ever questioned her hidden heritage - the one that's rarely spoken & written about. For anywoman who thought those Biblical women must have had lives of value & meaning beyond being baby-factories in a man's world. Incidentally, as I read about the lives of the wives (polygamy was part of our biblical foreparents' lifestyle) I kept getting glimpses of the Latter Day Saints' erstwhile domesticity & remembrances of my commune years back in the 1970s - very interesting & though-provoking. Made me think a lot about peoples who, to this day, still practice multiple-wife marriages. Made me think that monogamy isn't all it's cracked up to be - for the wives that is! In its implications & scope The Red Tent is right up there with Jean Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear. Do check out my full review of this pivotal book & my eInterview with this author who has created a rich & transformative read.
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Summary: Provocative & interesting
Review: In perusing the other reviews written here about The Red Tent I noted several folks berated this book for its historical inaccuracies. I don't know about how historically accurate The Red Tent is, or isn't, and for that matter I don't think it's possible to view the Bible as a compilation of unbiased historical truisms either. My opinion about this book comes strictly from the viewpoint of a lifelong lover of reading, not from that of a thin skinned religious sort nor that of a historian. Diamant's rendition of Dinah's life suited me just fine as an entertaining story... I wasn't looking for an education when drawn to the Red Tent's provocative cover. Plain and simple, I was looking for literary entertainment set in a time and place far removed from modern times. From start to finish I found exactly what I was seeking between the covers of this book. I confidently recommend The Red Tent to other open-minded folks out there. I found it to be a very engaging story.
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Summary: A woman's point of view is not enough
Review: Just because the Old Testament is rarely approached from a woman's point of view does not, in itself, provide enough reason to recommend this book. It came highly recommended, and understandably so, given Diamant's ability to turn a phrase. The repeated descents into bestiality, vulgarity and abuse took the place of a plot, and ruined what might have otherwise been a remarkable book.
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Summary: THE BEST BOOK I'VE READ!!!!!!!!!
Review: Do you want to read a book that will keep your interest? READ THIS ONE! Do you want to read a book that is fiction but brings you some knowledge? READ THIS ONE! Do you want to read a book that you hate to see end? READ THIS ONE! Do you want to read a book that stays in your thoughts for a long time? READ THIS ONE! Don't pass up this book. READ THIS ONE!
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Summary: Excellent novel, well written and intriguing...
Review: A look at a little-mentioned figure in the bible sparked my interest! It was one of the most intriguing books I have ever read. The plot, connected with real Biblical-events, was wonderful! I could not put the book down. Having a glimpse into the lives of women of Biblical times was a gift, I had never really been interested in, but after, The Red Tent, it is a subject I won't soon forget, or take advantage of. I thought reading a book about a man with numerous wives would be somewhat difficult to swallow, but the strength of the women in this novel was unimaginable. This is a definite must-read, for both women, and men!
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Summary: Captivating!
Review: The premise of this book is fascinating and very well-executed. Once I picked it up I was unable to put it down. Anita Diamant does an amazing job of recreating Biblical times through her writing (without it becoming a history lesson), and creates characters that captivate from the first page. Although based on a woman from the Bible, this is a read for everyone, religious or non. I loved this story of strong and beautiful women. This book is about women celebrating their womanhood and marking a plac in a male dominated time - it's an inspirational tale!
Rating: 
Summary: Huge Disappointment
Review: I eagerly began reading this book expecting to love it. I love historical fiction and have read many fictionalized accounts of biblical characters. This book was a huge disappointment!!! It was just awful. My first problem with the book is that the author felt the need to change the facts known about these characters lives as found in the Bible. Why would she do this?? It was absolute slander against the forefathers of the Jewish and Christian faith. Sarah, Joseph and Jacob were totally misrepresented and facts were totally changed to fit the story. I could also have done without the bit about the men copulating with the sheep. Yuck! Besides these problems, I felt that the characters were not developed and the authors writing style lacked descriptiveness. For example, the title of the book is "The Red Tent". At the end of the book, we don't know much about the red tent. Is it truly red? Is it located far from the rest of the camp? Do all the women go at the same time (as the author implied)? While the women are in there, who does the cooking for the men? What do they do in there? tell stories, yes...but do they do weaving or sewing etc. I felt like I was really lacking a visual description of anything she wrote about. My suggestion is that you enjoy historical biblical fiction, try reading some of Francine Rivers books. She stays true to the bible, and yet gives wonderful accurate, descriptive portrayals of what women's lives would have been like.
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