princessleia4life's review against another edition
1.0
I disliked how they made a lot of the characters.
tmpucylo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
caitsy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
p_ttyb_tch's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Abortion, Miscarriage, and Infertility
Minor: Misogyny and Incest
valerief's review against another edition
4.0
This was a totally enthralling take on events in Dinah's life, as glossed over in the Old Testament.
justfoxie's review against another edition
3.0
oh this is not total and complete fluffiness (unexpected), but the kind of chick-lit I can really sink my teeth into. Still, it's hard not to blush when people on the tube start reading over my shoulder. Still, there are some really surprisingly tender and wonderful moments, and I love that she doesn't pull punches with the femininity of the book. A truly fantastic twist at the end, that, unfortunately I don't think was taken fully advantage of.
Still, a great read and highly recommended for an indulgent weekend, preferably with some bath lounging involved.
Released by BookCrossing id 896-6493743
Still, a great read and highly recommended for an indulgent weekend, preferably with some bath lounging involved.
Released by BookCrossing id 896-6493743
jjwotherspoon's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
As a birth worker and reproductive justice advocate this book has always been hyped to me as a must-read. It took me two attempts to get through it and while I’m ultimately glad I did and grateful for the empowered/nuanced retelling of this biblical story, I’m not sure it did live up to the hype.
demottar's review against another edition
3.0
This book had so much potential and I feel like Diamant really failed to tap into that. A few things just did not work for me at all:
1. There was little to no struggle with Diety from the main characters - a major part of the Jewish ancestry and history is this back and forth between practicing pagan/polytheistic worship and worship of the Judeo-Christian God. I just don't feel like this played a big enough part in the beginning of the novel. Especially where Jacob is introducing a new religion and barely anyone says/thinks anything of it, and how Jacob himself doesn't really fight against the old religion when his wives and daughters are practicing it right beneath his nose. I found this so inaccurate and difficult to believe. To me, it discredited the story overall.
2. While this novel is a part of the Midrash tradition, I felt like Diamant changed enough significant detail from the history, that she did a disservice to her story. I think I would have appreciated her work more if she had been more faithful to scriptural detail.
3. I didn't buy that anyone actually had any kind of love for anyone else in the novel. Who cares that Joseph was sold into Egypt, when I don't have any reason to believe that his dad cares at all?Additionally, while I appreciate a good feminist novel, why are all of the male characters (except for Dinah's husbands) so disleakable and one-dimensional? If this was an effort to illuminate the female characters more, it wasn't a very good one.
Overall, I did enjoy the novel, but I didn't love it and I don't think I'll read it again. There were no big moments for me, and Diamant's writing is only OK - every time she wrote about romantic love or sex, I rolled my eyes. Too cheesy for me.
1. There was little to no struggle with Diety from the main characters - a major part of the Jewish ancestry and history is this back and forth between practicing pagan/polytheistic worship and worship of the Judeo-Christian God. I just don't feel like this played a big enough part in the beginning of the novel. Especially where Jacob is introducing a new religion and barely anyone says/thinks anything of it, and how Jacob himself doesn't really fight against the old religion when his wives and daughters are practicing it right beneath his nose. I found this so inaccurate and difficult to believe. To me, it discredited the story overall.
2. While this novel is a part of the Midrash tradition, I felt like Diamant changed enough significant detail from the history, that she did a disservice to her story. I think I would have appreciated her work more if she had been more faithful to scriptural detail.
3. I didn't buy that anyone actually had any kind of love for anyone else in the novel. Who cares that Joseph was sold into Egypt, when I don't have any reason to believe that his dad cares at all?Additionally, while I appreciate a good feminist novel, why are all of the male characters (except for Dinah's husbands) so disleakable and one-dimensional? If this was an effort to illuminate the female characters more, it wasn't a very good one.
Overall, I did enjoy the novel, but I didn't love it and I don't think I'll read it again. There were no big moments for me, and Diamant's writing is only OK - every time she wrote about romantic love or sex, I rolled my eyes. Too cheesy for me.