Francine Rivers

Periodical Reviews

The Atonement Child explores the emotional and spiritual aspects of abortion through the fictional story of a young woman experiencing a crisis pregnancy. Author Francine Rivers drew on her own abortion experience and the stories of women she met at post-abortion support groups and crisis pregnancy centers while researching her subject. In a sense, The Atonement Child is their story. It mirrors the experiences of the many women who struggle daily with the trauma of past abortions… Rivers skillfully portrays how even the most committed pro-life Christians can sometimes fail to support a woman in a crisis pregnancy. Everyone around Dynah her thinks that abortion is the only solution to her situation. As the pressure to abort mounts, Dynah finds herself abandoned by the very people who are supposed to love her most. The Atonement Child deals with several complex issues: the question of evil, the pressures of a crisis pregnancy, abortion for the "hard cases," and the aftermath of abortion A major theme in the book is the effect that abortion has had on Dynah's family. Both her mother and grandmother have abortions in their pasts. Even years later, their abortions are still affecting their relationships. The Atonement Child is well written, presenting the truth about abortion in a compassionate, nonjudgmental way. Except for one chapter where the characters engage in a lengthy discussion about the fallout from abortion, Rivers successfully avoids the "preachy" tone which can otherwise intrude into the natural flow of a story. She simply presents her story and allows readers to draw the natural conclusions. Rivers says she wrote the novel not only for other women who struggle with the aftermath of abortion, but also for pro-life activists. She says she wanted "to help them to understand the sorrow [post-aborted] women feel every day and to have compassion" for them. She believes that thousands of women and men in our nation's churches grieve secretly over past abortions, afraid to share their feelings with others for fear of condemnation.
–The PostAbortion Review

Rivers tells a gripping story that will touch you to the core. Set in an upper-middle class conservative Christian climate, Dynah Carey’s picture perfect life is dramatically altered forever when the unthinkable happens! She is horrifically raped. Her future is immediately thrown into a spin. An unwanted pregnancy ensues and she needs to make a decision… should she keep or end the life within her? Her engagement to a promising young ‘minister-in-the-making’ is stretched to breaking point as are relationships within her own family. The reader is left wondering how on earth this story will unfold… wanting to read on. As with most of her novels, Rivers holds the audience captive, wooing the reader into the lives of the characters and skillfully turning your thoughts to the Lord at the same time. Christ is always central in her novels. In The Atonement Child she deals poignantly with the consequences of rape and the moral dilemma surrounding abortion. And, using other characters in the story, she candidly demonstrates the variety of possible responses to such a dilemma. Although not the best of her books, The Atonement Child is a stirring read, leaving the reader wanting to strengthen their personal relationship with God. It reminds us that life can throw many traumatic curve balls, yet as we put our trust in Him, He works all things together for good, bringing peace and direction to confusion and trauma.
–Everywoman e-zine

Hide Reviews

Reader Comments

i must say that you are a gift to the body of christ. although myself a writer and a pastor of a congregation, but God has used your writings especially the ones i have read so far to teach me a new dimension about him. thanks.
- Stephen Owolabi

Surely the Lord was speaking to us through this novel. Even if one never faced abortion, it is a healing story that can help us evaluate how obeying the LORD and waiting to hear His will makes all the difference and the blessing will flow. Thank you Mrs. Rivers.
- Kristine Stibich

I had read this book about 10 years ago and loved it, but now reading it again as a more mature christian I loved it even more! Thanks for writing!
- Cindy

This book was insperational. At first I didn't want to read it but my sister told me to that I would like it. In the end it was the best book I have ever read. When I started it I wouldn't put it down and finished it the day I started it. I really recommend this book.
- Megan

If every women considering abortion could read this book, Atonement, it would change their minds...as well as their lives...forever. A moving story of a family in crisis and how God can use the bad to make good!
- Eva Williams

I just completed Redeeming Love. This was one of the best books I have ever read. The character of Hosea demonstrates how God can use each of us to reach out to others and to love others enough to change their lives. Francine Rivers is a gifted, anointed writer.
- Eva Williams

I have just finished reading "the Atonement Child", & I just bought it yesterday!! When I put the book down, all I could do is cry. What an amazing and impacting story.I could feel Dynah's pain, her joy, her love for the Lord. I have never cried so much over a book! I could just feel the Lord's presence in this book. How amazing! I have one baby boy, and he means so much to me. I have never had an abortion myself, but this book has concreted my feelings about abortion. I would recommend this book to anyone, as it has impacted me in such a way, I know that I will never be quite the same!
- Naomi

Hi Francine i have just read the "a voice in the wind" i was so blest by this child and her faith. sometimes my faith is so weak, i am amazed that we are all called christians these days and we dont even know what priveledge to be called a Child of the most Hight God. thank you for your books i am truely blest by each one i have read so far and i have read alot of them. lucinda
- lucy

this book is splendid. for me,it is an experience of God love and faithfulness. GOD BLESS YOU MA, I love you
- deola

hu!,when i read this book i just couldnt stop crying because the story is a real challenging one.i appreciate the courage of Dynah and the way she used her faith to trun so many lives around for good.she didnt dwell on her pain but she leaned on God for strenght and she took a bold step to keeping the child.God bless the life of the writer and everyone that has opened the book to read and learned from it,may the light of God's wisdom and knowledge in our lives never grow dim but shine till eternity.
- bimpe adebisi

I have very few friends who are in support of continuing a pregnancy begotten by rape. Most believe that they are pro-life, but they make exceptions for the "hard cases" like this one. Honestly, there are no easy cases. What about a woman who have been abandoned by their lover and have grown to hate him and the unborn child he left her with? She consented to sex, but she is now just as unwilling to bear this child as many rape victims. Alll life is sacred, and it takes a very brave person to say that. I know someone who had an abortion after she was raped, and I often wonder what her life would have become if she had chosen to protect the baby and give him or her up for adoption. I really didn't like the end of this book very much, because in real life things would not have worked out this neatly. Dynah would likely have been to frightened to live alone after a stranger rape, she probably would have desired to give up her baby, and doubt she would have been able to have a healthy marital relationship with Joe because she received no Christian counseling to help her in dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault. It was one of the most amazing books I have ever gotten to read, and I recommend it to everyone even though the end is a little too perfect. God bless all the victims of abortion, may they know healing and love at the foot of the Cross of Christ.
- Erin

Bought this book on Saturday and finished it yesterday....or well more like at 3am this morning :D couldn't put it down....I haven't gone through anything like this...but as most people I have had my opinions. This is a great book. Thank you! :D
- Lindis

This is a very honest and challenging story because this situation is very real.
- Hannah

THE ATONEMENT CHILD:The book is a life-transforming one, it gave me a different perspective about abortion, that makes me feel every girl child should be made to read it at their teens. I also wonder why we were not made to know the punishment God gave to the rapist, that will further strenghten the faith and make people hang on the more. Thanks.
- ADEOLA FAYEMI

This book is amazing. The story of Dynah's battle and the way she dealt with such a difficult issue was encouraging and challenging at the same time. I'm an 18 year-old girl and I loved the book but I also know of people who are much older and have loved it just as much. In my opinion, everybody should read it and prepare to be changed. It's a book you'll never forget.
- 18 Year Old

This book is so touching. I wish i could find a hard copy somewhere in my country (zambia). Teen girls who wre vanerable to abortions would be protected from it. the message in this book is building and piecing to the heart. i pray that most people will be blessed
- Violet Malala Mainza

i cannot say that i can understand what the character Dynah went through. however, this is a must book on true obedience and faithfulness. i never thought i'd ever say that on a book about ____(i won't give it away!) but i couldn't believe what i was reading or how it all made sense. thank you francine for this powerful book!
- clara

Once I picked up this book I couldn't put it down... there was so much meaning and as the reader, I could feel the many emotions of those involved in what first appeared to be a tragic event which evolved into joy.
- M. Celeste

I read this book about a year ago and still I think of it and stand amaze at God's great love for His children. Dynah's trust in God really touched my heart. The way she just kept on trusting Him in every aspect of her life. And how He just blessed her abundantly. I hope every girl can read this book sometime in their lives. It was an eye opener to me and I just cried so much during reading this great story. And I experience God's love so much.
- Sasha

The Atonement Child is a passionate and touching story. It deals with real world issues and talks about a young womans life being completley torn in half and then shreaded. Although not one of her best books i would encourage every young woman as young as twelve to read this book.
- Morganne

When i read the book, i cried because i could just imagine myself in Dynah's position, But what i liked was that at the end there was a silver lining in the cloud, if only as christians we can trust and hold to God all the way! The book totally tugged at my heart!!!
- Abiola Opatola

This book was absolutely wonderful. It shows how God is always with you even when you feel he has forsaken you. A crisis pregnancy can be tough as shown in this book, however nothing is too tough for God. Thanks for a wonderful read!
- Tara

The Atonement Child was one of the best books that I have ever read. It is the only book that I have ever read showing all different sides of abortion.
- Madeline

Hide Readers Comments