Rivers, Francine. The Last Sin Eater.
Tyndale House; 1998,
ISBN: 0842335706.
Reader’s Annotation
Because Cady did something horrible, the guilt is eating her alive, so she desperately looks for the one person she thinks can take burden away from her—the evil, mysterious, sin eater.
Plot Summary
Ten-year-old Cady Forbes has a terrible secret, and she desperately wants to be free from the guilt that haunts her. When Cady’s grandmother dies, Cady and the other mourners stand with baited breath and their backs to the grave, waiting for the sin eater—the one person who would willingly take on the sins of the deceased, in order for them to rest in peace. Despite being forbidden not to, Cady sneaks a peek at the Sin Eater, and from that moment on decides that he and only he can take her secret guilt away. Along with 14-year-old Fagan, who has secrets of his own, Cady hunts for the Sin Eater. But even when they close in on the sin eater,a mysterious outsider comes into their midst, a preaching strange things that bewilder and captivate Cady and Fagan. They end up sharing what they learn with the sin eater himself With the help of Fagan and the sin eater, Cady uncovers a secret in the community that far surpasses her own personal guilt. But it’s the words of the stranger free Cady and the others in a way they never anticipated.
Critical Evaluation
The roots of this story come from a tradition that was common in the early nineteenth century in England, the lowlands of Scotland, and the Welsh border district. The tradition came to America with some immigrants, and was practiced in remote areas of the Appalachian Mountains. Rivers weaves an intriguing tale that has many dark twists and turns. Cady's role as the catalyst for change in her small community as each person she talks to confesses worries, guilt and doubt of their own.
About the Author
Long before her success as a writer of Christian fiction, Francine Rivers enjoyed great success as an established romance novelist. She started out her career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she received a B.A. in English and journalism. Francine grew up in a Christian home, but did not truly establish a relationship with Christ until much later in life. At that point she turned her efforts to writing Christian fiction, and has enjoyed a highly successful career in that genre. A mother of three grown children, Francine and her husband Rick live in Northern California. For more information go to: http://francinerivers.com/
Genre
Historical Fiction
Curriculum Tie-ins
History
Booktalk Ideas
- Why do you think Fagan befriends Cady?
- Do you think that Bledsoe should have “gotten on with her life”?
- How do you feel about Cady’s mother and how she acts around Cady?
Reading level/Interest age
Young Adult
Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas
- Religion/Christianity
- Be ready with a copy of the library’s selection policy
- Be familiar with similar works in the collection
- Refer to site: http://www.christianbook.com/the-last-sin-eater/francine-rivers/9780842335713/pd/35714?item_code=WW&netp_id=106878&event=ESRCN&view=details
Why I included this work
This story felt almost gothic to me, and yet anyone can identify with Cady’s struggle guilt.
1999 Gold Medallion Award winner
Great Quotes from the Book:
Miz Elda: “Don’t matter though. No matter how deep the truth gets buried, it always comes to light.”
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