The Last Sin Eater [Hardcover]

Francine Rivers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1998

1999 Gold Medallion Award winner!
Set in 1850s Appalachia, The Last Sin Eater is the story of a community committed to its myth of a human "sin eater," who absolves the dead of their sins, and the ten-year-old child who shows them the truth in Jesus.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Even in her romances, Rivers (Redeeming Love, LJ 11/1/97) tackles some difficult issues, so this story of a family and a community in turmoil is different from her other books only in that it lacks a love interest. Ten-year-old Cadi's grief over her beloved grandmother?the only person who seemed to love her unconditionally?is compounded by a previous family tragedy for which she believes her family blames her. While at her grandmother's grave, Cadi sees the "sin eater," a human who absolves the residents of the tiny Smoky Mountain community of their sins. Somehow Cadi, touchingly portrayed by Rivers, comes to realize that the sin eater is false and learns of Jesus, and her conversion to Christianity leads to a reconciliation with her family. Rivers delivers both a powerful message about Christian beliefs and the need for forgiveness of sins and an evocative portrayal of life in the 1850s. Highly recommended.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

Taking a bold step into the arena of historical suspense, Francine Rivers draws readers into a captivating tale of suffering, seeking, and redemption. Set in the highlands of the Great Smoky Mountains, The Last Sin Eater is a masterful blend of realistic characters, historical accuracy, and compelling mystery. As always, Rivers weaves a story that goes beyond entertainment to the only One who can truly set us free: Jesus, the Christ.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842335706
• ISBN-13: 978-0842335706
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (116 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,070,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Francine Rivers began her literary career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in English and journalism. From 1976 to 1985, she had a successful writing career in the general market, and her books were highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, a mother of three, and an established romance novelist. Shortly after becoming a born-again Christian in 1986, Francine wrote "Redeeming Love" as her statement of faith. First published by Bantam Books and then rereleased by Multnomah Publishers in the mid-1990s, this retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea, set during the time of the California Gold Rush, is now considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction. Redeeming Love continues to be one of the Christian Booksellers Association's top-selling titles, and it has held a spot on the Christian best-seller list for nearly a decade. Since "Redeeming Love," Francine has published numerous novels with Christian themes--all best sellers--and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her Christian novels have been awarded or nominated for numerous honors, including the RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, and the Holt Medallion in Honor of Outstanding Literary Talent. In 1997, after winning her third RITA Award for inspirational fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame. Francine's novels have been translated into over 20 different languages, and she enjoys best-seller status in many foreign countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Francine and her husband, Rick, live in northern California and enjoy time spent with their three grown children and taking every opportunity to spoil their grandchildren. Francine uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and she desires that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As usual, she left me thinking long into the night..., December 14, 2002

By 

Marilynn Griffith (Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Last Sin Eater (Paperback)

This is the second Francine Rivers novel I've read. ATONEMENT CHILD was the first. After reading both of them, I found myself praying and thinking for a long time after. In my opinion, that's a good book!

Some reviews stated they thought Cadi and Fagan's King James Bible talking unbelievable. I had no problem with it. Like the masterfully woven dialect, the way the children talked after being saved kept pace with the rest of the story.

For three nights (two in Fagan's case), they'd been listening to the "man of God" speak to them in this way (King James) for hours and hours. These children had no television, no deficit of attention as we do. :) They soaked up and repeated everything they'd heard over and over--to Miss Elda, to Bletsung, to the sin eater, to each other.

I also saw their child-like faith as a perfect picture of the new believer. The Word is everything then--nothing else matters. There is an urgency to witness and share that can only be described as "life or death".

For me, Rivers recaptured my own salvation experience and fascination with the Word of God. Althugh I still study the Bible daily and witness often, I spent hours after the final page searching myself for the initial passion (and compassion) for the lost I had during those first hours, days, weeks, of my conversion.

This book is not only an entertaining read, but a picture of how God blesses those who love them, even to a thousand generations. I wonder too, who among my ancestors held out, praying, hoping... for me.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, tear-jerking, June 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Sin Eater (Hardcover)

This is the best book I've read in a very long time. The story pulls you in and leaves you wondering what's going to happen next. As the mystery unravelled, I couldn't put it down! But beyond the interesting story line, more importantly, this book really opened my mind and soul to the real meaning of forgiveness. Young Cadi's struggle with her remorse and guilt had me crying, and I don't easily cry over books. I should also say that I'm not a frequent Christian-fiction reader. I have read the Left Behind series, and those are just sadly lacking in inspiration compared to The Last Sin Eater. If you're looking for a great story that's going to reignite your faith and goodness, read this book!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Humbling and Heartwarming, April 11, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Sin Eater (Paperback)

Like other reviewers, I had never read Francine Rivers. If this book had not been given to me as a gift I never would have read it. I am so thankful I received it! I plan on reading more of her work.

This is the story of a girl's journey to find forgiveness. Her pain is deep and believable, and if you've ever needed forgiveness you will identify with her immediately.

All of the characters in The Last Sin Eater have depth. After finishing the book, I found myself thinking of them, something very few authors have made me do.

Although this is an easy read, it is suspenseful,humbling, heartwarming, and very well written. Definitely not one-dimensional. I laughed and I cried. I had to force myself to put it down at 3:30 a.m., (and it was difficult). I highly recommend it.