Reviews

The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers

aunesofia1993's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

curlyjessreads's review against another edition

4.0

Dynah is attending her Christian college and things are going great. She's excelling in classes, has a job she enjoys, and is engaged to someone who is on the path to become a pastor! But one night, she is raped by an unknown man in a park. Out of that horrific event she becomes pregnant. Piece by piece her life begins to fall apart. Where she thought she would receive comfort and support, she continually is advised to abort her baby. With this tough situation, it also brings up past experiences and hurt of others in her life. Ultimately Dynah has to come to a decision between herself and God. This was a difficult book with a lot of hypocrisy from Christian characters. It did also discuss the mental and emotional difficulties that occur after an abortion. 
I have never been in the position to make this decision and won't pretend to know the difficulties around it! When I was in middle school I read a book by Noreen Riols based on her account of having a medically recommended abortion and then difficulties she dealt with after that decision and how she overcame those struggles. It has stuck with me since then. 
This is obviously a hot topic and I don't want to start any debates in the comments, just reviewing this book! 
But I would be happy to talk to anyone in private messages if anyone wants to!

cknight4's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

estherfilbrun's review against another edition

5.0

This was the perfect book to choose to read on a day I was sick! I was a little apprehensive about how much detail I would encounter in certain scenes, but in the end, that wasn’t really a problem, which I was grateful for. The one thing I didn’t expect from this story (but should have, I guess) was the way that choosing life versus the alternative was presented and the amount of tension around this issue that ensued from the discussions. I’ve never been in a position like the characters in this story found themselves in (and I’m grateful for it), and I’d like to think that I would choose life every time. But I appreciated the realistic way that Rivers allowed her characters to question and work through their beliefs.

The one thing I was hoping for from this story did come through—that there is hope after a terrible, traumatic experience. It can take a long time to heal sometimes, but the Lord is faithful, and I loved seeing that represented over and over through the story. This was an excellent read—highly recommended!

parklandmom's review against another edition

5.0

A wonderful book tackling some difficult topics. The characters and their struggles were well-defined. Sometimes things aren’t as simple as they appear and choices are harder than we think. When we are in a dark place, it’s far harder than we’d ever think. Yet, those are the times we stretch and grow and learn if we turn to God for the answers and trust Him even when His way seems impossible.

brendalovesbooks's review against another edition

3.0

Without giving any spoilers away, I'll just say that it was all a bit too much. Every aspect of the book just took everything at least a step too far.

mjm5's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

4.5

nikipetz's review against another edition

1.0

It was seriously hard to read this book. I'm prolife, yes even in the instance of rape, and personally don't agree with birth control either. But seriously, this book wasn't a story, it was a prolife, anyone who thinks abortion is ok is an evil person, pamphlet. The woman who runs the abortion clinic? Well she's a crap parent with a drunk daughter who of course was on birth control.... And how many people in one story can have an abortion that ruinned their lives and gave them cancer???? Drivel...... This book could have been so awesome if the author told a story instead of pushed an agenda.

jenlovesagoodstory's review against another edition

emotional hopeful slow-paced

4.0

1blessedmama2022's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75