Rating:  Summary: Good writing bad story Review: As a person who has studied the bible for fifteen out of the nineteen years of my life I am slightly disappointed in the author. Her writing is superb and I didn't want to put down the book. However, since most people don't know many of the details of Dinah's story and the lives of jacob and his wives people will get the wrong impression. It is so far from the story in the bible. The book made it seem as though Jacob and Rebecca were two egomaniacal psycopaths who were the only ones on the planet to believe in a single G-d. I thought it portrayed the biblical family in a very disrespectful manner. Even if you don't believe that the bible is accurate Ms. Diamant went a little too far. I comend her though on her writing. Maybe she should have just gone the whole nine yards and use completely fictional characters.
Rating:  Summary: The "Red Tent" Enters Your Very Soul Review: There are books that pick you up and take you into another world, another life. For a short while you walk, talk and breathe the story. The book enters your very soul. "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamond is such a book. The life of Dinah and her family becomes your life and family and you feel wiser and richer for the experience.
Rating:  Summary: Brings Biblical Women to Life Review: What wonderful insight Anita Diamant provides us into the everyday lives of Biblical women! I laughed and cried as I related to them as women with many of the same concerns I have, regardless of the time and culture that separates us. As an author of books about Biblical women, I recommend my meditation book to you, Soul Satisfaction: Drawing Strength from our Biblical Mothers and Sisters, also available from Amazon.com. It will bring more Biblical women into your life and heart!
Rating:  Summary: a great read Review: This is a wonderful book and very well written. The characters are intriguing and the writing style is in conjunction with biblical times. Would highly recommend reading this book, especially if you are interested in biblical times and experiencing how women lived in those days.
Rating:  Summary: The Red Tent Review: This was such a great read that I've told all my girlfriends to run out and buy it. It's a heartwarming story of a woman's life. I was disappointed when the story had to end.
Rating:  Summary: Unexpected Gem Review: I work in a small bookstore so when one book starts selling unexpectedly well I take notice, and if I have the time and inclination, I read it. The Red Tent was once such book, and I'm profoundly grateful my customers brought it to my attention! It is well-crafted, compelling and thoroughly enjoyble reading, a fascinating insight, utterly believable, into a time gone by. ...
Rating:  Summary: Great historical fiction Review: My sister-in-law recommended this to me. It was a wonderful book and really made me wonder how this particular period in history would have been remembered if the stories of the women were the ones recorded! The author did a marvelous job of spinning a tale of the secrets, mysteries and bonds shared by women. I have recommended it to many friends.
Rating:  Summary: A slice of history from biblical times Review: In spite of four wives and numerous sons, Jacob's only daughter is Dinah, revered and even spoiled by four mothers. The heritage of the Jews is told through the female. Thus, it is Dinah's lot to pass on the stories of her mothers and grandmothers for the next generation to revere.Dinah begins the tales of her four mothers with the appearance of Jacob in the land of Laban. Over the years, Jacob marries Rachel, Leah, Zilpah, and Bilhah. Mostly, in the "red tent" where the women go to have their female cycles, Dinah learns what is expected of a Jewish woman. She explains their trip to Canaan, the strange meeting between Jacob and his estrange brother Esau, and her own rite of passage into Jewish womanhood. Finally, Dinah falls in love, but that leads to tragedy for her and a need to escape from her family. THE RED TENT is a fabulous biblical fiction novel that provides a full life to a footnote character in the Old Testament. Purists will take exception to Anita Diamant's liberties with other persona such as Joseph and Leah (even if her description makes them seem more real and complete). However, that aside, strict believers need simply pass on this fictional account that provides an intriguing look at the role of the Ancient Jewish woman. Anyone who enjoyed the QUEENMAKER by India Edghill will fully relish Ms. Diamont's loose, but seemingly feasible, intelligent and entertaining interpretation of the role of a minor biblical player. Harriet Klausner
Rating:  Summary: A celebration of sisterhood! Review: Beautifully and poignantly written! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and going through the range of emotions with the women in this story. I thought the author did a beautiful job depicting the strength of women, the bonds and relationships between them and the differences among them and how they related to men. Those reviewers who criticize the book's departure from Biblical accuracy should keep in mind that this is fiction, and exceptionally well written fiction, at that!
Rating:  Summary: well done Review: Half way through this book, I discarded it. I was sick of reading about the menstrual cycle and birth details of the women in Jacob's tribe. However, I always finish a book, so I picked it up again some weeks later. Taking a fresh view, I became transported to the biblical world of women and was surprised at the richness of their lives. Not being a biblical scholar, I knew nothing of the story of Dinah and was horrified. I checked the bible - the authors story relates to valid passages. I am impressed at the author's skill in using her knowledge of biblical lifestyles to tell Dinah's life story.
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