The Last Sin Eater: A Novel (A Captivating Historical Christian Fiction Story of Suffering, Seeking, and Redemption Set in Appalachia in the 1850s) by Francine Rivers

The Last Sin Eater: A Novel (A Captivating Historical Christian Fiction Story of Suffering, Seeking, and Redemption Set in Appalachia in the 1850s) Reviews

• 
  Kacie

  My bookish blogging friends challenged my disdain for Francine Rivers (which I picked up from my fav. college lit professor, who called Rivers Christian crap-o-rama). Maybe I was being too harsh. Maybe there was a depth to Rivers that is often missing in popular Christian fiction.
  
  Well - if Francine Rivers has a greater depth than most, it wasn't evident in "The Last Sin Eater". I didn't like it. I mean, I actually really liked the concept, but about half-way through the novel the concept started unraveling into a simplistic evangelical salvation presentation. I don't have a problem with Christian art and literature or with the Christian presentation of salvation, but I do have a problem with bad Christian art and literature and overly simplistic, misleading mini-sermons.
  
  See, the idea of a "sin-eater" is apparently from old Scotland and Wales, where communities would a assign one member the duty of "eating" the sin of community members that passed away. This insured that only one member of the community had to carry the guilt of sin and everyone else would be purified at their death.
  
  Obviously, that is a very, very cool metaphor that parallels with the gospel very clearly. Thing is, while it started as a metaphor set in a superstitious mountain community, it was turned into a modern gospel pitch, and it just didn't fit culturally so it wasn't believable. It might have worked as a kids story... but I kept thinking, "You can't make the jump from not knowing anything about Christianity to suddenly talking like a 70-year-old pastor! That's cultural lingo - it's not imparted by 'praying the prayer'!".
  
  Anyways - I didn't like The Last Sin Eater.
  
  ETA: I wrote this review yeaaaars ago and continue to get comments on it. So let me just add, I am a Christian, in fact I am a missionary, and the sharing of the gospel is important to me. And yet the way it is done here grates on me and I didn’t appreciate it. Not all Christian novels are well-written, and we can be honest about that while still holding to our faith in Christ.
• 
  Natalie Vellacott

  This is a great book although it dragged a little towards the end.
  
  It is told in the first person by a child "Cadi Forbes." She is growing up in a clan in the remote mountains. Cadi believes she is responsible for a terrible accident. She feels the terrible weight of her "sin" and begins seeking ways to rid herself of the burden. She becomes desperate over time believing she will be punished forever for her sin.
  
  Then, Cadi overhears talk of the banished "sin eater" who comes to remove the sin of the deceased allowing them to move forward to the afterlife. Cadi believes this mysterious creature is the answer to her own problems and decides to do whatever it takes to find him, including alienating all of the other members of her clan who fear and hate the "sin eater."
  
  This story clearly portrays the Gospel message and the need for evangelism. The main message is that "no one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him." Only Jesus can save souls and this is made clear through various Scripture quotations throughout the book. It is a powerful message of redemption.
  
  This book is basically clean and free of bad language and sexual content. There are a few murders but not in graphic detail and there is one brief reference to a rape. This would be suitable reading for teenagers and adults. It could also be used as an evangelistic gift as the message of salvation is clear.
  
  I am rating it 4 stars as I personally found the style of writing during conversations tricky to read in places but I would definitely recommend this book.
  
  
  Check out my Francine Rivers shelf!
• 
  Colleen

  I picked this book up based on the description before I realized it was by Francine Rivers. This book suffered from the same flaws that have frustrated me with other Francine Rivers books. In my view, she does a good job of creating a believable world for her characters to inhabit, but then she over-simplifies the spiritual aspects of her plot and characters so that I am unable to relate to their spiritual journeys in any way that feels connected to the real world or real people. Here, as in other novels, she develops characters that are "too" good, in my opinion -- who seem completely untroubled by being martyrs -- and characters who are so evil (for no discernable reason) that they are one-dimensional. For instance, a preacher comes to share the gospel with an Appalachian group in this novel. Even though he has only recently embraced Christianity, he already has the entire Bible memorized. The children who hear him speak instantly remember every biblical passage themselves, which struck me as preposterous. The man of God doesn't exhibit any self-doubt or personal concern or angst as he recognizes his own impending death. On the other hand, his killer is a man who personifies evil. Yes, there are human "monsters," but Francine Rivers's novels too often contain a character like this one, who seems to personify the devil "just because." Here, that means he abuses his wife and his children, murders indiscriminately, and wields enormous power derived from thin air.
  
  More importantly from a plot standpoint, the conversion stories in this book left me rolling my eyes. It seems inconceivable that people would develop an unshakeable faith in Christianity after hearing a few sermons from a complete stranger, consisting of mostly quotations from the Bible given in unfamiliar language. In my view, faith grows out of relationships -- the relationship between an individual and God and the relationships among people of faith. There was no time for the Appalachian people to develop a relationship with the preacher in this novel. And they spent no time developing a relationship with Jesus after they heard the Word. They just instantly believed and were prepared to sacrifice their own lives for their faith. It came across more like Christianity imposed by magic wand than a realistic portrayal of a person seeking a lifelong relationship with Christ -- more like people were "beamed up" to the kingdom of heaven instead of beginning a spiriual journey.
  
  As with other Francine Rivers books, I was left feeling that it had potential, but could have been so much more.
• 
  Anne

  Francine Rivers is absolutely my favorite Christian fiction author because she delves deeper than the usual romantic fare.
  
  Her most well-known book is Redeeming Love, which is also great, but my favorite book written by her is "The Last Sin Eater". The story is told through the eyes of a young girl who is struggling with issues far too heavy for her age: grief, neglect, guilt, eternal destiny, sin and loneliness. Thanks to the help of her invisible friend (an angel?) and an itinerant preacher, she finds the answer to all her troubles and draws her community, still enslaved to the Shamanism of their ancient Scottish culture, to spiritual freedom that is only found in Jesus Christ.
• 
  Barbara

  This book can actually be read superficially and simply viewed as good historical fiction, but it also has a much deeper level that will truly amaze you if you give it enough thought. The old custom of a sin-eater is a fascinating one, and the parallels to Jesus Christ are obvious, especially as clearly depicted here by Francine Rivers. What a unique and unusual way to present the meaning of the Gospel. Cadi and Fagan are especially endearing characters. Set in the 1800's, the Appalachian mountain people we meet and get to know during the course of this narrative seem genuine, naive, sheltered, and downtrodden, but yet with some joy and spirit underneath it all. Some are gentle with an almost angelic bent, and others seem harsh, hardhearted, and evil. Their reactions to hearing truth spoken range from joyful acceptance to hardhearted opposition and defiance, as is true with us today. I understood the need for many scripture references when the Man of God was talking, but that is the one element I thought could have been a little shorter and still made the same point. Guilt, misunderstanding, deception, forgiveness, courage, inquisitiveness, true love, and Salvation are all present as elements of this plot. The story starts out in a very unusual manner, but be sure not to miss any part of this wonderful saga!
• 
  Cori Cook

  I loved this book. Kinda weird, but I really liked the message about grace. Again, good redemption theme runs throughout. Lilybet cracked me up!
• 
  Amanda Tero

  Apparently I never reviewed this book, but this is my third time reading it. That being said, I obviously like it, but I do feel like I have to recommend it with a little caution.
  
  This is very much into folklore and it is amazing how much scripture is used in this book, but understood out of context. The whole book is basically about unveiling truth and learning what the Bible actually teaches.
  
  The few things I cannot fully recommend about this book are… Exactly who is Lillabet? That is left up to the reader, which could be a little disconcerting. There is definitely a dark element to this book, as the title indicates, there is the belief that one man has to eat the sins of the dead through partaking in bread and wine at the funeral. The whole story around the sin eater and the history of the people is very clearly shown as wrong, but it is still shown. Also, apparently the point of salvation came at baptism, not prayer.
  
  That being said, the mountain feel is amazing! Also, the different characters are very diverse and unique. The depth of secrets that all the characters have is well written. Personally, I like the allegorical elements of it, as I do feel that it strengthens the gospel message.
  
  Like with Christy, I would recommend this to slightly older readers.
• 
  Sarah

  Oddly enough, this is my first Francine Rivers book that I've read all the way through. I started reading one of her earlier works when I was younger and didn't like some of the content. While this book still has a couple of tough things in it, I felt like they added to the story instead of distracted from it.
  This story was riveting. While it almost feels when you are about at the half-way point that it should be over soon, each page kept drawing me in.
  I love how, even at the end, there are still things you wonder about but yet it's still so satisfying.
  I think this is a powerful look at the sin in all of us and how God wants to transform us from the inside out.
• 
  Kathryn in FL

  This is an allegorical tale meant to interpret the meaning of Christ's purpose. It was an interesting and original tale, yet, I didn't identify with the characters as much as I had wished. I think it was a valuable story and I would never tell anyone not to read it. It just didn't have that special something in it. I feel I am not doing the story justice. Francine Rivers is such an excellent story-teller, this wasn't her best work.
• 
  Mandy J. Hoffman

  MY REVIEW:
  
  My enjoyment of Francine Rivers writing began just over a year ago and I have since read a number of her books. This one being the most recent. Francine not only knows how to craft a riveting story, but one full of spiritual depth and challenge, too.
  
  The Last Sin Eater sounds like a strange book but it only takes a few moments to get drawn into the old tale set in the heart of the mountains among a handful of families who settled there only 2 generations ago. It's a story of fear, fascination, forgiveness, and faithfulness. It's an easy read, or in this case, easy listen, with it's simple story line and deep characters. I especially enjoyed the way that this novel gained depth as I read - starting out simple and unfolding over and over again until all the secrets were revealed in the end. Yet doing so without being confusing.
  
  In this audio edition the story is read by Anita Lustrea who does an amazing job of bringing the story to life. The characters are no longer people on pages but breathing beings in your imagination as Anita flawlessly shares this tale.
  
  No matter how you enjoy this book - in print or in audio format - you will be swept away in time to once again witness the redemption of God.
  
  
  BOOK OVERVIEW:
  
  All that matters for Cadi Forbes is finding the one man who can set her free from the sin that plagues her. But Cadi doesn't know that the "sin eater" is seeking as well. A captivating tale of suffering, seeking and redemption.
  
  * * * * *
  This review copy was courtesy of Oasis Audio.
• 
  Mae Clair

  This is a thoroughly immersive story set in the Appalachia of the 1850s. From the spot-on dialect to amazingly vivid descriptions of mist-shrouded mountains, valleys, and the thorny ties that bind a small backwoods community, Rivers paints the picture of hardscrabble living where daily life goes hand-in-hand with fear and superstition, and the regimental edicts of one man. Brogan Kai rules his valley with an iron fist, the same way his father did before him. There is no room for dissent or questioning, and certainly not for the preaching of a man of God who sets up camp by the river.
  
  Ten-year-old Cadi Forbes passes each day under a crushing shadow of guilt, living with a sin so great—one she believes has stolen her mother’s love—she becomes convinced only one man can save her. The sin eater is an outcast, reviled and shunned, but the single person able to eat away the sins of departed when life ends.
  
  Determined to be freed from sin while she lives, Cadi seeks out the sin eater to absolve her of guilt. But her journey unearths rewards she never expected when the sin eater asks her to visit the man of God and report back to him with his teachings.
  
  Wow! I can’t say enough about how this book touched me on multiple levels. I felt like I had stepped back in time to a world of hollows, misting falls, sun-drenched meadows, and taints. The story is told from Cadi’s POV, but many other characters provide strong supporting roles—Cadi’s friend Fagan, a fourteen year-old-boy who finds the courage to challenge his abusive father; the wise and clever Miz Elda whose memory stretches back to the unsettling founding of the village; Bletsung MacLeod, forever true in her faithfulness to the only man who has ever held her heart despite the impossible barriers between them; Iona who surprised me (I’ll say no more); even Brogan Kai who brought darkness where there should have been light. And the sin eater himself.
  
  There are several buried secrets, surprises among characters, and plot threads that stack like dominos only to topple into shocking revelations in the last quarter of the book. A novel of Christian fiction, The Last Sin Eater carries a strong salvation message driven by remarkable characters. This is a story of heart and soul, redemption and faith. A beautiful historical novel. If I could award more than 5 stars I would. Highly recommended!
  
• 
  Jessica Lavette

  Ehhhhh....this book was...ok. It is a good read. Don't get me wrong Francine Rivers writes some pretty awesome books, but this one was kind of bland compared to all of her other books.
  
  If you ever feel like an outcast from time to time, then this book will encourage you to dare to be different.
  
  The Last Sin Eater is an allegory of Jesus Chirst set in the Appalacian Mountains in the 1830's. It follows the story of a 10 year old girl, Cadi Forbes, her family and her clan. Yes, I said clan. Everyone in the story are Scottish immigrants with a thick Scottish accent, which was hard to get used to reading at first. During that time people of Scottish decent believed that in order to get rid of their sins, they have to wait until they die, have a ritual performed on them, and them cast their sins on to what ws called a Sin Eater; which is a person who is an outcast and bears the sins of hundereds of people.
  
  This book does have some sad parts to it. For instance I felt sorry for Cadi. She's only ten, and she is sort of outcasted from her family because she committed a horrible sin on her younger sister. She's only ten!!! Her parents should give her a break. I also felt sorry for the Sin Eater. He is JUST a person. Unfortunately he is forced to carry the weight of everyone's sins, which is sending him on a path straight to Hell.
  
  The number one thing that I did love about this book is that it is told in the eyes of Cadi, the little ten year old girl. How genius is that!!!??? Having Cadi as the narrator definitely makes you feel more emotional because she displays an innocent view on things. Plus her parents disown her because she believes in Jesus Chirst..which just makes you go "Awwwwwwwww :("
  
  The one thing that I did not like about the book was the ending. It was too predictable. And when Cadi and her friend are trying to explain to the whole clan about Jesus, it just seemed like Francine Rivers copied and pasted the Bible. Cadi should explain Jesus the way a ten year old would; not how Paul the Apolsle would. Oh well.....
  
  All in all it was ok. And even though the book won the Gold Medallion Book Award, it does not show Francine Rivers full talent. She writes incredible books.
• 
  Jessica

  "A little girl's quest for redemption uncovers a dark secret...and the truth shall set her free."
  
  What can I say, except that I was surprised beyond belief? I'd gotten more than I'd hoped for from this book!!
  It's the beautiful, Sweetly sorrowful story of a young girl, Cadi Forbes, who has, in her eyes, committed an almost unforgivable sin. She struggles to find cleansing for her broken heart, she searches, desperately trying to find the one who can take her sins away, the sins that are tearing at her heart.
  She goes to the sin eater...who she thinks is the one to take her sins away forever. When he fails, and she thinks that all hope is gone for her, a man shows up...a man of God, who, with a few simple words, shows her the truth of Jesus Christ, the only one who can cleanse us from our sins. The one and the only Sin Eater.
  
  If you haven't read this book, please do, you will be glad that you did!
• 
  Sherry

  This book was outstanding. It had everything in it...folklore from Scotland and Wales, murder, guilt, sadness, joy, unrequited love, marriage for the sake of producing children, but no reciprocal love, innocent children, cruel and cold parents, cowards, secrets, God and of course the last sin eater. This was a powerful story of a little girl (10)who bore guilt and felt her mama didn't love her and a boy (can't remember his age exactly, but think he was about 12-14) whose father thought he was God himself, but was a hateful and feared man in the valley. He had a lot of guilty secrets that weren't revealed until near the end. A very captivating book of fiction, but with the Truth sprinkled throughout. Couldn't put it down except when I had to do so! It is not a children's book although it is about the bravery and courage of two youngsters who learned much and shared much and stood up to those who would harm them.
• 
  Joanne Sher

  Powerful, compelling, and beautifully written. Only my second Francine Rivers book, and I love it. Such a powerful tale of redemption. Characters were so real-to-life. I was absolutely taken to these mountains. A masterpiece.
• 
  Heather

  This book is awesome. It keeps you hooked and interested. A great story
• 
  Lara Parker

  I listened to this one on Audible which was relaxing. It was a little slow at times but I really enjoyed meeting all of the characters and walking through their stories and realizations that Jesus is the only one that can take our sins away. I may not have enjoyed it as much reading it myself with the way it was written, but the Audible narrator did a great job with the accents.
• 
  Lydia Houghton

  Gosh this book was wonderful! Christian fiction at its finest. The Last Sin Eater tells the story of Cadi who is led by God in search of the Sin Eater, and ends up hearing the gospel.
  
  The gospel comes to her community, and this book is a beautiful tale of evangelism, salvation and God’s sovereignty.
  
  As a Christian I was so encouraged by Francine Rivers’ writing here (as I was in Redeeming Love) because the gospel is written onto every single page.
  
  This book was ‘fiction’ but it’s beautiful to see Francine Rivers’ faith displayed through her characters!
• 
  Katherine

  I've read this book several times and watched the movie, and it's a firm favourite.
  
  Funny story: I actually dreamt this whole book, as a movie, and was convinced for months that I'd actually seen it (though I had NO IDEA where I'd watchied it). My movie version was totally awesome, better than the actual movie of it... yeah, when I watched the movie I realised that I'd dreamt it. The movie is still pretty good though, one of the better Christian movies I've seen.
  
  I love this book for a reason that no one seems to have mentioned yet: the romance between Cadi and (oh no! forgot his name!!) the boy. It's just so gorgeous and sweet.
  
  The preacher is a bit, well, preachy. At first it really annoyed me, but then I figured that Rivers wrote it like that to try to imitate how old-style preachers would have been. I probably would have done it differently, were I the author, but whatever, it's fine. Some people will hate it though.
  
  The plot is interesting: the first few times I read it I could not remember how it ends at all, specifically with Cadi's mum and her depression/anger/shame and her relationship with Cadi (i.e. what the true story was, and not just Cadi's rememberence). Nice use of an unreliable narrator, by the way.
  
  I have no criticism about the writing, though I will admit that I read Rivers primarily for the stories, not for her brilliant writing, so perhaps bear that in mind if you're fussy in this regard.
  
  In summary, it's not everyone's cup of tea for sure, but for those who don't mind Christian fiction this is probably perfect.
  
• 
  Mimi

  This book blew me away! I listened to the story without having a clue what it was about. I just knew it'd been around for years.
  
  I'd never heard of the idea of a sin eater and wasn't sure how this would pan out to give God the glory, but WOW, did it ever. I know this story preaches hard, strong, and in your face, but it's done in such a way, that I didn't feel like I was being preached at. I felt like the characters in the story were getting the brunt of it. Which of course, spills over into the reader absorbing it as well.
  
  The people who live in this Appalachian setting have been living life according to rules they set up for themselves. The thought of someone taking on another's sin aside from Jesus is just mind boggling, but I can see how it could happen through the eyes of these people.
  
  This story is so well crafted and to see it through the eyes of the children is incredibly powerful. I never thought I could learn such a powerful lesson from a 10yr old and her curiosity. Her deep desire to understand the Truth propels her and her community into opening old wounds they were all happy to put to rest.
  
  I'll tell you what, you could cut the tension with a knife pretty much from start to finish. The pain pretty much every character carries is palpable whenever they're on the page. The Truth is spoken and it divides us all to the marrow. You can see how it happens in this story that is so beautifully and expertly told! This is a do not miss book!!
• 
  Sandi

  Wow! Despite the unusual title I picked up this book at the library because I have liked everything else I had read by Francine Rivers. The story takes place in the Smoky Mountains in the 1850's. The residents of this small hamlet believe that opon death one's sins are removed by offering food and drink the the sin eater. The sin eater taker the sins open himself and the person can be clean before God. Young Cadi Forbes questions this and sets out to meet the Sin Eater. Along the way she meets a man of God who has come to preach the truth that only believing in Jesus can set you free. The story line and the characters all are a parable of sorts , showing how people can be deceived and how God can shine his light in the world.
• 
  Christian Nikitas

  This story is written in the first person with an accent. I was really annoyed with that in the beginning, but I got used to it. It's a very interesting story about a group of families that lived in the Smokey Mountains in the 1800's. It goes over how they were stuck in the old ways from the old land until a stranger arrives and brings them the Gospel. It's a long journey filled with murder, digging up old history and spreading the good news before people start to change their ways. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Christian adventures/mysteries.
• 
  Heather Gilbert

  Having grown up in the Appalachia that Rivers set this novel in, I can say that she nailed the way people talk and do things. I haven't watched the movie yet, but the book was quite mesmerizing for me.
• 
  Knihomoľka Bleise

  Som nadšená z tejto knihy. Spočiatku som do nej nevkladala veľké nádeje a do čítania som sa púšťala opatrne. Nevedela som, čo môžem očakávať od kresťanského románu, no toto prekonalo moje očakávania. Krásny príbeh plný hlbokých myšlienok, nádherného prostredia a pútavého rozprávania.
• 
  Franci

  Gelees in Afrikaans as "Die Ontsondiger".
• 
  April Schwanke Kaufman

  Such a compelling story, told in a whole new to me way. Just beautiful!
• 
  Lucy

  My initial thoughts after finishing this book:
  I like the concept of this story, but I didn't like the execution. There was a lot of flowery writing that didn't fit the concept of this story, in my opinion. The concept is dark and pretty disturbing if you think about it - someone ritually eating the sins of an entire village of people so they can be saved. The people of the village were depressed and carrying the weight of their past transgressions, but the way this was written made them seem like they were just moody.
  I also didn't relate very well to the way the characters talked and processed things. It wasn't honest or believable for me. For instance, Cadi, the ten-year-old protagonist, feels more like a 16 year old in the way she talks and thinks. And there's so much flowery emotional writing to describe the characters that it kind of just annoys me. The scene in the end where all the primary characters start revealing their deepest secrets was over dramatic and unrealistic.
  Lastly, I'm a Christian and am appreciative of the message of this story, but I wanted it to be more approachable. There are entire pages in this book where characters are literally quoting the Bible. That's all well and good if you are wanting a Bible Study with your novel, but I feel like that's not what most people are looking for. I honestly think there are ways to tell this story without being so heavy-handed. Let the story speak for itself. It doesn't have to be spelled out so deliberately.
• 
  Michelle

  I was intrigued with the concept of the sin eater and enjoyed that part. The rest of the book felt like it was too much - one unrealistic thing after another.