The Atonement Child

The Atonement Child

4.2 of 5 stars 4.20  ·  rating details  ·  13,821 ratings  ·  653 reviews
With the powerful, evocative writing that has become her trademark, Francine Rivers delivers a compelling tale that captures readers' hearts and comes to life in their imagination. Written with balance and compassion, "The Atonement Child" brings new perspective to the most controversial topic of our times, carrying readers on the turbulent wave of an expreience that will...more
Paperback, 375 pages
Published March 1st 1999 by Tyndale House (first published April 1st 1997)
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Redeeming Love by Francine RiversThe Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. LewisA Voice in the Wind by Francine RiversThe Shack by Wm. Paul YoungThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Best Christian Fiction
14th out of 947 books — 1,422 voters
Garden of Madness by Tracy L. HigleySo Shines the Night by Tracy L. HigleyRedeeming Love by Francine RiversMark of the Lion Trilogy by Francine RiversThe Red Tent by Anita Diamant
Best Biblical Fiction
8th out of 164 books — 174 voters


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Community Reviews

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Dana Cheryl
Dec 31, 2012 Dana Cheryl rated it 2 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone
The story of a protected, adored virgin being brutally raped and dealing with a resulting pregnancy could not have been an easy story to write. The author did a good job of creating a believable Christian family in crises by allowing us inside their deepest thoughts thereby revealing weakness, doubt, fear, and anger woven with faith, redemption, and hope.

The Atonement Child was an interesting mixture of thoroughly developed characters undergoing intense trauma mixed with a few secondary players...more
Lola4
Since this book was a Christian novel about an unwanted pregnancy, one would also expect a strong anti-abortion message, but one also would expect a novel. Ms. Rivers delivers on the former, but not the latter. The novel was not without some good points and strong writing, but rather inconsistently. At times it appeared Ms. Rivers forgot about the quality of the novel altogether. Having read Sure As the Dawn I should have been prepared for the fact that Ms. Rivers is capable of churning out some...more
Jamie
The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers follows the story of a young college girl who is raped and finds herself pregnant. Yes, it’s intense material and an intense read.

While she struggles with the decision of what to do and her faith, her family struggles and nearly falls apart in the process. This is a hard topic for anyone to discuss and while the novel itself is an excellent read (Rivers is by far one of my favorite authors), I was surprised to find out how close the issue was for the author...more
Mandy
MY REVIEW:

Some books are good. Some are simply GREAT.

This is one of the great ones.

A longer read at 372 pages, it may seem a bit formidable. However, within the first few paragraphs Francine grips you with this horrifying and redemptive story. As each page turns you truly watch beauty from ashes being unfolded in black and white print. Francine Rivers brings to life one of our worst nightmares in this story of rape and pregnancy. She then deals with abortion, compassion, and Biblical counsel h...more
Dawn
Jul 16, 2012 Dawn rated it 5 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition Recommends it for: Karen Kingsbury fans, fiction lovers, hurt by abortion
Shelves: read-in-2012
Dynah Carey is a Christian Golden Girl. She's the doted upon only child, engaged to a man who intends to become a pastor, and just has life together. Yet one moment shatters it all. In that one moment, her life is changed by a rape that leads to an unwanted pregnancy. Her dreams are in shatters. Secrets long held in her family are brought to light. Through it all, her family and those she loves encourage her to get an abortion, yet she remains confused and clinging to the One who loves her beyon...more
Amy
Francine Rivers did such a great job portraying the big issue of abortion in this book. The main character, Dinah, a godly young lady, who is serving the Lord has the unexpected happen to her. You know the "why do bad things happen to good people" ordeal? Her "perfect" life is shattered by rape and the consequences multiplied by an unwanted pregnancy which now brings the question, "What to do with this child?". Her life as she knows it is over, unless she does what everyone else seems to think s...more
Jessica
What a deep read! The premise of the book is rape and abortion, both horrifically nightmare inducing topics. If you have a weak system, do not read this book. If, however, you do find yourself desiring to place your feet into a rape victims' shoes, please put them on carefully. A very heart wrenching look into the REAL church culture surrounding abortion and the hypocrisy we tend to hide. Francine Rivers never fails to provoke intense reflection and a desire to live a better life. This book will...more
Josh
I thought this would be an interesting read, since a friend of mine had been raped when she was 19 and got pregnant from it. Although in my friend's case, she had a miscarriage, but I couldn't help but wonder how much different her life would be now if she hadn't miscarried--and that's really made me question how I feel about abortion. I don't think life would have worked out as conveniently for my friend as it did for Dynah by the end of this novel.

The last chapter can be predicted from the fir...more
Marybeth Taylor
Dynah Carey has is all - the perfect fiancé, a job at a local elderly folks home, freedom, good friends, and is attending a bible college. Or she has it all, until she loses it all. Simple mistakes pile up on one another until a tragic event happens. Shattered, Dynah tries to recover the scattered pieces of her life. But with more betrayal in the near future, things look grim. Only when she seeks help from the most high and works through the many secrets that plague her family will she be able t...more
Erin
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Jeannie
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Melissa
The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers was a great read. This book was well written as Francine Rivers always does. It is a thought provoking read. It makes you question what would you do if something horrible happened. It tackles very hard subjects so this book is not for the faint at heart. The book is about Dynah Carey she is a good Christian girl who is away at college and works at a nursing home brightening up the lives of the residents there. She is engaged to be married to a soon to be pa...more
Hannah
Dynah Carey seemed to have it all--a dotting fiancee, great friends, loving parents, and a great future ahead of her. Until one bitter cold January night, when the unspeakable happens. When Dynah is raped, everything unravels at the seems. And when she finds out she's pregnant, it completely falls apart. Her seemingly strong faith in God is barely holding on by a thread. Her fiancee becomes someone she never thought he'd be, and tries to force her into an unwanted abortion. Her loving parents tr...more
Missy
So far I have read/listened to 9 of Francine Rivers books, one right after another. I love her writing.

I had mix feelings with this book. I usually feel vested in the life of the main character once the book ended, but not this time. I felt standoff-ish with Dynah. I did get angry at Ethan, the Dean of NLC, her father and mother but still no connection with her. She was too naive for me, especially with her relationship with Joe.

I love the message and it did open my eyes to see not just the ba...more
Lindsey
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Cindi
Francine Rivers is one of the most beloved and well-known Christian fiction authors of the last few decades. Her works, whether contemporary fiction or historical fiction, are realistic, well-written, and full of spiritual truths. This northern California resident often uses the cities and communities in which she is familiar as the backdrop of her novels and The Atonement Child is no different.

Once again, as in all her stories about the redemption and forgiveness of Christ, Francine Rivers has...more
Simone
Námet & Fabula
Tohto roku je to už druhá kniha o znásilneniach, ktorú som čítala. Easy sa sústredila skôr na spoločnosť, ako prijíma tento fakt, čo robiť a ako niečomu podobnému predísť. Dieťa zmierenia je písané úplne iným spôsobom. Často sa skloňuje slovo potrat a náboženský postoj k nemu.

Najprv ma šokoval fakt, že v Amerike je potrat legálny aj v piatom mesiaci (druhý trimester). Pokiaľ viem, u nás je dovolené do tretieho mesiaca. Spôsob, akým však bola opísaná klinika, kde sa interrupc...more
Debra Brinkman
I didn't exactly know what I was getting into when I picked up The Atonement Child, by Francine Rivers. I had read the book description, and it was one of a few titles I put on hold at the library. I didn't remember what it was about when I started it, but very shortly into the book I flipped it over to read the back cover again.

You start off being introduced to a very likable Dynah Carey. She's compassionate, working with the elderly, a student at a Bible college, engaged to the man of her drea...more
Christina
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Caitlyn Fortunato
well I read all of the reviews on here and decided to give this book a shot .(note I don't have a religion-) The story line seemed interesting to me so I decided to read the first chapter.

I didn't like it and it is not because of the religion ethier. I did not like the character. She annoyed me because to me her character was a cliche. We all heard of the typical good Christian girl and her family. Can we at least write something else?? Also her boyfriend fuled my fire and her roomates were not...more
Jennifer Cottle
This book presents a very tough decision of what to do with your child after being raped and getting pregnant. This book follows the struggles a young women goes through and her journey to find herself. This very independent women is very relatable. Throughout each struggle you as a reader are rooting for her success. This book is a Christian novel and I believe that is why I felt so connected to it. As I was reading, I would put myself as the character and ask myself what I would do in the situ...more
Jill Lewis
Wow! This book has been sitting by my bedside for probably a year. I only picked it up to read because I had nothing else. I figured it was going to be very preachy and full of religious righteousness. Well, it kind of was. While I do consider myself a religious person, I don't like to read things that preach to me. But the story was so, so, well told. I read it in a few days and had a hard time putting it down. I've never had any experience with abortion, nor known anyone personally who has, bu...more
Kate
A parent seeking grace from the past, a current flame smothered by hatred and greed.
A faithful friend never faltering, never failing and always putting love on the back burner.
Dynah Carey, college student and waitress at Stanton Manor House becomes the victim of a violent crime. Her faith begins to falter and she begins to doubt God's grace and love. Can she find the understanding she seeks? Will forgiveness fill her broken heart?

The author pens an unforgettable journey of realistic proportions...more
Marti
I have never read Francine Rivers before. I was hesitant to read a "Christian" book about an unwanted pregnancy. I don't generally agree with mainline responses. However, this book shattered all of my expectations. It is unexpected, honest, and real. Dynah had the perfect life, a loving family, caring boyfriend, and a bright future ahead of her until everything she believed about the world was challenged. She was raped. Every worse case scenario happens to her. She is rocked to her core. How wil...more
Michaela Matzke
The young girl in this book starts out with everything a girl could want; a healthy, pure relationship with a guy, attending a Christian college, friends that love her, and a strong relationship with God. But all that changes as one night she is badly raped and ends up with a child. After many show resentment and anger towards her, she begins to feel doubts about living with the child inside her. With help from her family and a true friend, she must find the strength to follow the path that her...more
John-Paul DeWalt
Francine Rivers has written the kind of novel I enjoy reading, one that portrays the thoughts and motivations of a wide array of characters over some issue. In The Atonement Child, the issue is abortion.

Dynah Carey, a young woman at a Christian college, is raped by an unknown assailant and becomes pregnant. The author shows how various people in her life pressure her about having an abortion:

On the Do-It Side

* Dynah’s Christian father is near to retiring and doesn’t want to take on the burden o...more
Yarril
In reality, I would have agreed that Dynah take the morning after pill in order not to get pregnant after she was raped. Even when she got pregnant, her boyfriend (trained to be a pastor) and all her Christian College dean and professors, parents and friends wanted her to have an abortion saying that God will understand. Dynah made the decision to listen instead to her heart and her heart said that killing the baby is not right. It also broke my heart to read that she was shunned by the College...more
Jeanie
Francine Rivers always give a great story based on God's character and men's depravity. This is a great example. With abortion such an issue even among Christians, I would encourage all Christians to read this. Her characters could be based on real people. I saw some that I knew personally. I think the one that gripped me the most was the doctor that was performing the abortions and the reasons why. I realize not all doctors have the same reason but I appreciated this part of the story the most....more
Honeybee
One of the BEST books ever written about the abortion issue. Francine Rivers masterfully and sensitively examines the topic from just about every possible angle. Having been involved in the pro-life movement for decades, I have seen many sides of the abortion debate. I have read many books. This is the most outstanding. Buy it for teens, adults--anyone you care about. Whether staunch pro-lifers, "pro-choice," or undecided on the issue, ATONEMENT CHILD will give them plenty of food for thought. W...more
Gail
For a book from someone of Francine Rivers's writing caliber, I wish there were more showing than telling regarding some passages and characters. But this is a necessary book that must spark humble discussions and honest repentance. The widespread murder of the unborn and the approving silence of the community is destroying this generation. There is a passage that wondered how many would-be firstborns have been and continue to be aborted. It is a perspective I had not considered in light of how...more
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The Atonement Child (Hardcover)
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New York Times best-selling 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...more
More about Francine Rivers...
Redeeming Love A Voice in the Wind (Mark of the Lion, #1) An Echo in the Darkness (Mark of the Lion, #2) As Sure as the Dawn (Mark of the Lion, #3) The Last Sin Eater

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