Anita Diamant

Advantages: Beautiful, historical, full of imagery, full of passion and compassion
Disadvantages: I want a series of them!

...As a graduate in literature I have read so many books, but this is my all time favourite. It basically tells the imagined life of Dinah, but is so full of vivid descriptions and a real feeling for the historical period, that I cannot imagine anyone not liking it. Diamant has obviously researched her subject well and this is show in the many details. The ways of child birth, the rites of passage, the relationship between friends, couples and families. It is a thick book but races through enough, to give a sense of anticipation and yet lingers enough to seduce the reader. We used the Red Tent as a reading for our wedding service to be enjoyed by everyone. The last image is of the Egyptian Lotus who's smell is always present, whenever you smell it, the images conjured up makes the memory alive. This is likened to love that never dies... Read review

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Advantages: Easy read, no dead space, keeps going
Disadvantages: none

...Having gone to Catholic school for 13 years, I have always her the story of Jacob and his twelve sons. Now I get to hear his only daughter's story. Yes, it is a work of fiction, but Diamant uses historical resources to give us an authentic feel for the times that Dinah, the protagonist, lived in. She gives you a description of her mother-auntsm, how they are different, which actually complements the whole family. Jacob is depicted as a loving husband who tries to give each of his wives (two of them are actually concubines) equal attention and affection. The one aspect of the book that surprised me is that this book did not feel very Jewish. Yes Jacob and his sons worshipped the God of Abrahm, but I did not get the sense that the women did. In one part, Dinah says "My father worships the God of Abrahm" very matter... Read review

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Advantages: A fantastic story
Disadvantages: Quite female focused, not really a bloke book.

...When (if) you read the bible, you often come across characters that pop up only once, and are in the spotlight for a moment, and then disappear again... but you suspect they have more story to tell than is recorded. For example, the story of Joseph (and his 'technicolour' coat) is famous, but what do you know about his only sister? Nothing? Yeah me too! Until I read this fantastic book. Anita Diamant takes the story of Dinah, mentioned only in passing in the bible, and develops it. The result is largely an imaginative work of fiction, however, it is deeply rooted in information from other sources. For example, Joseph's time in Egypt is included, and other stories about Jacob, such as his difficult relationship with his brother Esau. The Red Tent is therefore deeply plausible as a narrative. There are no details that jar, or suspend... Read review

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