5.0 out of 5 based on 6 reviews. – Customer review on 24/01/2008

An amazing insight into the lives of women in old testament bible times. Although the book does not claim to be historically acuarate, Diamant does use historical facts about the time and area the story is set in to make it more believeable. The women in the story are written in a way that makes them easy to relate to. I'd suggest reading the story in the Bible as a comparison. It's not quite as detailed, however, and does not show the story from Dinah's point of view. The Red Tent is an interesting take on a Biblical event and a good read if you take it with a grain of salt.

5.0 out of 5 based on 6 reviews. – Customer review on 19/08/2006

An enthralling and fascinating read, this story beautifully narrates the way of life of women at a point of time in history using the interesting device of basing it on biblical characters. No its not meant to be non fiction as one previous reviewer seemed to think before picking it up, but that doesn't make the tale any worth less being told - a great read!!

5.0 out of 5 based on 6 reviews. – Customer review on 16/08/2006

There are no claims anywhere in this book as to the historical accuracy of the story - it is a novel, at the very most an interpretation of a bible story - so the for the previous reviewer to trash it (without even reading it!) for not being a factual account of events is just absurd. It is a tragic but beautifully told family saga, independent of the politics of biblical history, but supremely it is a homage to women and the women who support women - through birth, life and death. If any lesson from a religious perspective is to be taken, it is an appreciation for the potential depth of scripture, which in contrast to this book can appear at times remote, foreign and unfamiliar.

5.0 out of 5 based on 6 reviews. – Customer review on 07/04/2006

"'My name means nothing to you. My memory is dust. This is not your fault or mine. The chain connecting mother to daughter was broken and the word passed to the keeping of men, who had no way of knowing. That is why I became a footnote, my story a brief detour between the well-known history of my father Jacob, and the celebrated chronicle of Joseph, my brother..."

This is a beautiful novel, every page a sumptuous delight... I thoroughly enjoyed Diamant's retelling of the Dinah story, told from Dinah's perspective, and her life under her four mothers and the patriarch Jacob... a must-read.

5.0 out of 5 based on 6 reviews. – Customer review on 05/04/2006

I really enjoyed this incite into a foreign culture. It gave an entertaining window into life, love that binds women and family obligation, loved by our bookclub.

2.0 out of 5 based on 6 reviews. – Customer review on 20/07/2006

I have started this book and am really uncertain as to whether I will bother finishing it. Diamant is presumptuous at best, adding all sorts of fallacies to biblical stories. If you uphold the bible as truth, I wouldn't suggest you read this book. It is also full of idol worship and feminist agendas... I wont bother finishing it, but I can see from the first ten-to-twelve pages that it would be a powerful story...