The Atonement Child

I KNEW I would hate this book just from reading the summary and the fact that Francine Rivers wrote it, but I just had to read it. This has been on my TBR list for a few years now and I finally had to subject myself to this trainwreck because I freely admit that I am a rubbernecker.

I do not like Francine Rivers as an author because despite loving the historical research and details she puts in her novels (the Mark of the Lion series, for example. 1st-century Roman life is presented to the reader in amazing detail) she gets heavy-handed with the preaching. Not only that, but she also pushes toxic feminity (submitting to the man, submitting to the pastor, other male lead figures) and this causes the women in her books to make some really show more bone-headed decisions.

Like, for example, in this book, Dynah is raped, and then when she is taken to the hospital, she refuses estrogen therapy (this book was written in the 90's, so today it'd likely be referred to as Plan B) and refers to it as an abortifacient. Mind you, she'd been raped only a few hours earlier, and pregnancy does not occur until the fertilized egg is implanted into the uterine wall, so a woman does not actually become pregnant until about 5-15 days after sex. But the author is so staunch in her Christian/pro-life beliefs that plan B is the devil's work. This is one of the reasons I gave this book 1 star.

I'm thinking to myself, oh my god, Dynah, you fucking dumb cunt. If you'd just agreed to take the pills, then you wouldn't have had to deal with all the bullshit and grief that would happen eventually in the book.

Another thing that really bothered me was how near the beginning of the book, Dynah is thanking God for everything in her life, and then after the rape happens, she asks God if she did anyhing to deserve being raped. I mean that in itself is a normal line of reasoning for a religious person to ask after a traumatic event, but this kind of thing is one of the reasons I became an atheist.

If a god truly is a loving one, then he would not allow women to be raped, among other awful things that happen in the world. But in the mind of the author, everything happens for a reason, including the sexual assault of a woman, the unwanted pregnancy that follows, and all the sadness and psychlogical trauma involved.

The title itself pisses me off too. 'Atonement Child' somehow feels like the child was foisted onto Dynah as punishment. Punishment for what? Having the nerve to walk part of the way home (to the dorm) at night after work?

I'd love to see a novel where Francine Rivers just focuses on historical research and writing a good story instead of shoving her beliefs down readers' throats or trying to convince us that a god that allows awful things to happen "has a plan", because that is a theme/message I've read in all her other books that I've read. show less

The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers is one of the greatest books I have ever read. The story itself is not only excellently written, but it is more. Rarely have I read a book that draws you in as this one did me. Listening to the story, I was torn between fear and sympathy, anger and heartbreak, and relief and restoration. The story is about a young girl named Dynah who, after terrible things happen to her, shows how, by holding onto God's promise that He will never leave nor forsake us, she finds a way to use her circumstances to not only heal her wounds but those of so many others. A true reminder that God, even though He doesn't cause bad to happen to us, can use it to bless us and those around us if only we will let Him. Rarely show more do I give a book 5 stars, but if I could, I would rate it much higher. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time, if not forever. show less

Right from the start, this book grabs at your heart and soul. It continually pulls and tugs you in all directions as you read about what the main character and her family has gone through. The author causes you to really think about sensitive topics...rape, abortion, and adoption...all the while using God's word, as well as both personal character history and what has happened in the past as tools to guide the reader. Yet, it doesn't come off as preachy or as though the characters are better than everyone just because they are Christian. Instead, the author makes sure to portray them just as flawed and struggling with issues as everyone.
I highly recommend this if you want a book that will challenge you and keep you guessing right up to show more the end. show less

This book was loaned to me by a friend, and I felt that I should read it. It's taken me awhile, but I've finally gotten around to it. Obligation finished. I didn't hate the book, and I knew that it was a Christian book, so no surprises there, but It just got a bit too much for me by the end. I understand the story, and i think Ms. Rivers does a wonderful job of describing the consequences and the angst felt by victims of violent sexual assault. The characters were described very well, but it just got too maudlin and preachy for me. I have my own ideas about abortion, and will not share them on this book review. They are mine and personal to me alone. Is abortion right or wrong? I don't know, but I don't think it is simply a matter of show more yes or no answers. Circumstances and outside influences can change the answers. The individuals themselves each have different, and, what to them are compelling reasons, for making the decisions that they make. After reading this book, I think my eyes have been opened as to the daunting number of elements that must be considered when a decision like this is made. And whatever decision is made, that decision will forever be there for the rest of that person's life. This is a very well-written book, and a very heart wrenching one as well. I am glad that I took the time to read it. I knew there was a reason why this book has been calling to me from my shelf for all these years. show less

This book.. sigh! I've read it 3 times

It is the definition of FAITH being tested like seriously... RAPE, PREGNANCY ABORTION & SUICIDE.

It's literally God telling you to trust him, without question cos the plans he has for you are to help you not hurt.. It's questioning your faith and in a way that most people would definitely fail, taking the easy way out and asking for forgiveness and doing the wrong this and praying for understanding.

Her parents were in born again, Her fiance, her school they all claimed to served God, but where was that love that God asked us to have for our neighbors, where was the understanding. It shows that teaching the word and living the word are to significantly different things, because the people claiming to show more do so FAIL so abysmally!

There are so many highlighted passage in this book, because honestly...

This book made me cry for Dynah cos you remember as a christian you claim to worship him but follow the rules that suit, but she didn't, she didn't take the way out everyone said God would understand, because she knew he would but she also knew it was what he wanted. I can't even imagine what she felt but following the still voice OMG! Made me ask for grace to follow too!

Abortion in this book is addressed in a way I can respect, for non Christians it may seem judgmental but being christian and also a student of ethic and philosophy I can remove the God from it, and look at it logically, Rivers wants to show that abortion has side effects that are far from physical and although I'm not into scare tactics Christianity or evangelism, I legit think girls old enough to make choices should read it.

I'd definitely recommend this book. show less

I'm impressed that a popular Christian author would be bold enough to write about a subject like this. At the time that this book was published, she was already well-known and could have chosen to stick to less controversial topics to avoid offending the masses and losing her broad support base. The fact that she chose to write a novel tackling rape and abortion from a pro-life stance is admirable and demonstrates the prioritising of Christian values in her profession as a writer. One might assume that all Christian writers would do this, but sadly that is not the case as many have sacrificed and compromised to entertain or avoid being controversial. Indeed, those who don't like this book have focused on the overt pro-life stance and show more the fact that it is "overly preachy." But maybe that is what is needed in a day when Christian compromise is the norm and thorny issues are avoided.

The story itself is well told and believable. Dynah is heading for the American Christian dream--pretty, popular, doing well at school, prospective pastor boyfriend etc. All of this is shattered by rape when she is walking home alone one night. The resulting pregnancy exposes the hypocrisy of the mostly Christians around her who in their different ways begin pushing her towards having an abortion. After all, her circumstances are exceptional and surely God would understand.....

Dynah's dilemma opens up deep wounds in her own family as well as in the lives of those performing the abortions in the clinics. Although some of the dialogue and scenes were a little predictable, I liked that the author touched on the fact that abortion can effect every person involved for a very long time, some may never get over the trauma or physical consequences. I wasn't sure about the supposed link between abortion and increased chance of breast cancer but it wouldn't surprise me if it was proven one day.

The obvious message of the book is that every life is precious to God and created by Him in the womb, regardless the circumstance. That He can redeem any situation and bring peace to those that believe it is impossible. I liked that Rivers chose to focus on moving forward rather than dwelling on the act of rape itself or of the attempts to identify and bring the offender to justice. The book carries the pro-life message but shows how difficult it might be to take that stance when someone is seemingly alone with their life-changing decisions. However, Rivers makes it clear that the person doesn't have to be alone--God is always present and waiting for the cry of help from a repentant soul.

This book is not suitable for children and may disturb some sensitive readers. Although the rape itself is not detailed, some details of the abortion procedures are mentioned. There is no bad language and no graphic violence. I note that some readers felt that the psychological trauma of the rape itself had not been considered and that the story followed a kind-of predictable happy-ever-after pattern. I don't agree with this. The aftermath struggles that the main character faces are traumatic and make the important point that all of us need to learn to trust God completely. She struggles with guilt, shame and questions why God allowed the experience which shattered her perfect life....that is not unrealistic nor is it a cliche. If Rivers had introduced too much psychological trauma it would have made the book more graphic and would have changed the focus from God's plan of redemption to the crime, victim and criminal. The reality is that all of us are broken through sin--sin in our own lives and the sin of others against us--the focus needs always to be on God and the price that has already been paid by Jesus on the cross for our sin.

Although not perfect, I rate this highly and hope it will influence those considering abortions, those working in the clinics/hospitals, those providing funding for services and most importantly, those counseling people dealing with choices they have made in the past and the consequences of them. show less

This book.. sigh! I've read it 3 times

It is the definition of FAITH being tested like seriously... RAPE, PREGNANCY ABORTION & SUICIDE.

It's literally God telling you to trust him, without question cos the plans he has for you are to help you not hurt.. It's questioning your faith and in a way that most people would definitely fail, taking the easy way out and asking for forgiveness and doing the wrong this and praying for understanding.

Her parents were in born again, Her fiance, her school they all claimed to served God, but where was that love that God asked us to have for our neighbors, where was the understanding. It shows that teaching the word and living the word are to significantly different things, because the people claiming to show more do so FAIL so abysmally!

There are so many highlighted passage in this book, because honestly...

This book made me cry for Dynah cos you remember as a christian you claim to worship him but follow the rules that suit, but she didn't, she didn't take the way out everyone said God would understand, because she knew he would but she also knew it was what he wanted. I can't even imagine what she felt but following the still voice OMG! Made me ask for grace to follow too!

Abortion in this book is addressed in a way I can respect, for non Christians it may seem judgmental but being christian and also a student of ethic and philosophy I can remove the God from it, and look at it logically, Rivers wants to show that abortion has side effects that are far from physical and although I'm not into scare tactics Christianity or evangelism, I legit think girls old enough to make choices should read it.

I'd definitely recommend this book. show less