Customer Reviews

The Atonement Child PB (Walker Large Print Books)

5 star:		(109)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I can only imagine what a difficult book this was to write! This is such a heart-wrenching issue, and is a favorite argument of pro-choicers. Though I knew how it would have to end, I couldn't stop reading to find out just how this would be accomplished. I found myself crying over Dynah's pain. I could just feel so much sympathy for her. The issue was dealt with very well. It wasn't graphic, but it didn't back off from the message either. Praise to Francine Rivers for have the courage to write about such a difficult issue.

If you enjoyed this, you will probably also enjoy Redeeming Love by the same author. Ms Rivers is wonderful at handling difficult issues, and while her books are "grittier" than most Christian fiction, I think it was necessary, in keeping with the tone of her books. I am not even a very big fan of Christian fiction, but I will read anything written by Francine Rivers.

I love to read and have read The Atonement Child twice. It's one of the most profoundly touching yet wrenching stories,I've ever read. The character development is beautiful, and Dynah is such a real and beautiful character. I love the way it highlights God's incrdible love and care. It also brings you inside the hearts of the more undesireable characters, making them real people instead of "bad-guy" monsters. No review I could write can do justice in describing this book, but I highly reccomend it as a simply incredible, healing story. Also gripping and entertaining. One of my favorite books of all time.

I recieved this book as a Christmas present because I'd seen it in a bookstore and it intrigued me, so I requested it.

My family certainly regretted it! I ignored all of them Christmas day, becaue I was completely wrapped up in this story of Dynah and her brutal rape. The characters were fantastically believable, and the situation they find themselves in is incredibly real. Readers will find themselves indignantly scolding all the characters that betray Dynah. The pace never slows, and Francine Rivers grabs you and will not let you go.

Dynah's inner conflict as she struggles with the decision of whether or not to abort her unexpected child is utterly palpable, and her face-to-face encounter with the Creator is spell-binding.

You will not come out of this book unchanged. And if you happen to support abortion, I, as a born-again Christian, challenge you to read this book and still come out supporting it.

This story is about the redemption only available through Christ, and it's a fascinating read. I recommend it to anyone who has ever sinned. (And that's everyone.)

This is the third book I've read by Francine Rivers and she is fast becoming a favorite author of mine. All three books dealt with various topics but all were well written and thought provoking. The Atonement Child deals with a controversial subject in today's world - abortion. I found myself caught up in Dynahs story and her predictament. In the beginning of the story, she had everything a girl could want....an engagement to a promising young man; a normal, loving family (or so it seems). But tragedy strikes and Dynah's world is turned upside down. The people who were strong influences in her life now disappoint her. Throughout her ordeal Dynah stays strong in her faith, focusing on God, His Love and His Word. I found myself wondering if I could stay as strong as Dynah, or would I have given in to what others in my life suggested be done. This book challenges you and makes you think about choices and about the unborn truly being REAL. What a moving story this was. This is a book I will highly recommend to others!

I was encouraged by a co-worker to pick up a copy of Francine Rivers' book " The Last Sin Eater ". After I read that book, I searched on the net and came across this book. It had a catchy title so I thought, why not. I started this book and absolutely could not put it down until I finished it. I am not what you would call an avid reader, but this book is so well written, you just feel the pain of Dynah when she goes through all of the ordeals of being raped and finding out she is pregnant. She has so many people trying to tell her what to do. You would be surprised at who they are and what they are telling her. She only has to realize what God's plan is for her life, and who her real friends are. This book keeps you on the edge consistently throughout, from the first page to the last. It will make you think the next time you say "I don't know what God wants me to do in a certain situation". I highly recommend this book for christians and non-christians alike.

Ms. Rivers' book helped me in a way that I couldn't have imagined when I started reading it. She took a very controversial issue and shed some light on the subject of rape and abortion. The one thing I enjoyed is that she didn't make all of the Christians look too holy or above everyone else. She wrote this wonderful book with the intent to include non-Christian readers. I highly recommend both pro-life and pro-choice people to read this story about the decisions young women have to face every day across America.

i love francine rivers. each of her books touch me in a special, sneaky way. after reading other reviews, i am compelled to say that i think the sensitivity of the issue kept people from giving a fair evaluation of her writing: if nothing else, ms. rivers is one of the most skillful writers i have ever read. her characters are anything but simple--the complexities are just more subtle than in less-talented writing. you have to think about them a bit more, and wonder about them. i didn't think ethan came out as a horrible human being at all--rivers has too much understanding of the human soul to portray him that way, and i sensed pain beneath his hardened (and annoying) attitude.

i will have to agree and say the issue of rape was not treated realistically enough, which is why i docked a star. it just seemed to vanish after it happened, which i know is not the way it happens in real life. it's something a victim will struggle with for years afterward.

in response to other reviews:
1. for those of you who think ms. rivers doesn't know what she's talking about, consider in your evaluation the fact that she has herself had an abortion, before she became a christian (also remember this happened in adulthood, so she has more understanding of non-christians, pro-choice, etc than you give her credit for).
2. for those who think it unusual that it seemed like all the women around dynah had an abortion, consider the idea that this was purposeful and for a point: there was a legacy of abortion in dynah's family, and her choice was how she would deal with it--break it or succumb to it. that was the point.

In a word . . . amazing. This book was incredible to read, not only because of the vivid and touching characters, but also because I think this book reaches out to both Christians and non-Christians. In today's world, abortion has become such a natural part of living and Francine Rivers does an amazing job of letting us know, through her words and characters, about both sides of the issue while being a part of the story. Dynah is such an incredible character - she had a perfect life set out for her, but after her traumatizing ordeal, she finds out who she really is as a person. Her faith was tested in so many ways and this book went a long way in showing you that no matter how much tragedy happens in your life, God is so much stronger than anything you have to face and He will always be guiding you. And along with Dynah, I fell in love with Joe as well. Who wouldn't? He's sweet, charming and incredibly loyal. This is a book that I know I will read over and over again, and I know others will feel the same way.

When my friend recommended the book to me I wasn't interested at first because of the subject matter (rape and abortion), yet when I began reading it I couldn't put it down. The characters were portrayed very well and this impacted me deeply. I felt like I got to know Dinah through all of her pain and I found myself thinking about her for ages after I finished reading the book. I'm so glad that a very controversial subject was handled so openly and I found myself having to really search myself on the issue of abortion. Half way through the book I sat and cried. I learned through this book that no matter what life throws at us, God's Word stands. As a Christian I know that abortion is not God's will, yet I was unsure as to why. Dinah's baby was not some monsters kid, she was a child of God and precious in his sight. I was very moved by the book and would recommend it. Be prepared to be challenged!

I read this book a few years ago, and still remember it quite well. The beginning was hard to wade through (Dynah's life sounds so perfect, wonderful, and sheltered, that even if you hadn't read the back, you know that disaster will soon strike her life!), but after that it got better. I especially appreciated the way the hypocrisy of her college was pinpointed; being commited to purity is good, but I've seen far too many Christian organizations follow the letter of this law to such an extreme that they forget the point. I also loved watching the way Dynah struggled with her situation, and the different phases she went through. Her commitment to making her own decision rather than giving in against her will to what others wanted for her showed remarkable courage, especially considering the sheltered, nearly conflict-free life she had led before her rape. She is definitely an admirable heroine.