One of the outstanding qualities immediately evident in this novel
is Rivers' superb ability to describe real feelings. Few people
have the ability to understand the feelings and struggles of
others. Even less are able to communicate these feelings and
struggles to others. Rivers succeeds admirably on both counts.
Rivers' description of Dynah's struggle with the difficult issues
and consequences of rape, pregnancy and abortion mirrors the highs
and lows experienced by people in the real world. Although Rivers
is clearly committed to an absolute pro-life position on abortion,
she shows that applying this consistently in real life situations
involves a difficult and painful struggle. Her characters are far
from shallow, and their development throughout the course of the
plot enables Rivers to work with deeper themes of repentance and
forgiveness.
One concern is Rivers' belief in ongoing revelation. On at least
two occasions, God is presented as speaking directly to and through
Dynah. Readers like myself who believe that God's revelation is
sufficient and complete in the Bible, will have to sadly conclude
that Rivers is unscriptural on this point.
Despite its theological weaknesses, this novel is rightly regarded
as one of the best in contemporary Christian fiction.