Cutting for Stone: A novel
by Abraham Verghese
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Book Reviews of Cutting for Stone: A novel
Book Review: An engaging family saga spanning continents
Summary: 5 Stars
When I started reading this book, the book that instantly came to mind was Steinbeck's East of Eden only because of the Generational spanning family saga. This is a rich tale of Doctor's in a Mission hospital (mispronounced "Missing" by locals, therefore forever called Missing Hospital) in Ethiopia who work incredibly hard under harsh conditions with meager supplies to save a doomed populace. But, interesting, as you find out later, much later in the book as one doctor ventures to America to get the big American medical degree and live the big American dream that, even though they did not have a much back in ethiopia, they were happy together as a great big extended family at Missing Hospital. A terrible event early in the book sends one of the best and surgeons running blindly from Ethiopia and the deed he has done. Sadly, years later, the twins he fathered who are so very close is betrayed by one and betrayed by the woman he loves in a way that sends him running for his life from the land that he adores to America. In America chance puts him together with his Father, but it is not a mushy gushy reunion - one would not expect that. They get along only as they know how - as fellow doctors. Until the son in America falls critically ill - only then is that son, brother and father finally reunited with their homeland and reconciled with each other - in a way. I must not say more or I will give it away. I had a hard time putting this book down. It was lovely to read.Book Review: Fiction at it's Best
Summary: 5 Stars
Many readers will tell you that Cutting for Stone is the epic story of two conjoined twins fathered by a brilliant British Surgeon and an Indian Nun. And it technically is. Narrated by Marion the first born twin we are told of every influence on his and his brother's existence. More than the story being told however, the novel is an accurate portrayal of life in all it's cruelty and wonder.
The twin's mother dies in childbirth and their father abandons them minutes later. They are raised in a missionary medical hospital in Ethiopia. As they grow up they are forced to face their past and futures re-defining the meanings of destiny, love and family.
While reading you will notice the fine points are painstakingly researched as the story is and packed full of medical jargon and situations along with vivid descriptions of Ethiopian culture and history. My only reservation in recommending the book is the novels "hard moments" as almost every imaginable tragedy touches these brothers, and medical operations and oddities are very detailed. Squeamish readers may want to skim some of these passages.
All in all, this novel is elegantly told, superbly structured and the most original piece of fiction I've read in years. It's deserving of every positive adjective I can throw at it; marvelous, and thrilling. You will want to own and lose yourself in this book again and again. Buy it now, and thank me later.
Book Review: terrific twentieth century epic
Summary: 5 Stars
In 1947 dedicated to the Lord Sister Mary Joseph Praise leaves Kerala, India for a missionary assignment in Yemen. The voyage mostly by sea is grueling, but Sister Mary has the Lord accompanying her so has no ill affects. She saves the life of Dr. Thomas Stone who is heading to Ethiopia.
Sister Mary and Dr. Stone meet for the first time since their sea trek at Missing Hospital in Addis Ababa and she provides him comfort. Sister Mary dies during child birth, but her twin sons Shiva and Marion survive; Thomas never knew although she wrote him a letter explaining all. Adopted by physicians at Missing Hospital, who hide Mary's letter, the brothers thrive over the decades until each becomes a doctor.
This is a terrific twentieth century epic that wonderfully blends a family drama and medical practices into an Ethiopian political thriller. The well written story line is told by one of the siblings, who vividly explains, the love he and his twin received from his adopted parents, his discovery of the letter, and especially medicine in war torn Ethiopia and in the battle zone of the New York City slums. Although coincidence allows the major early events to occur the way they do, fans will relish this deep tale of two adopted brothers becoming doctors just like their parents and the biological father they do not know.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: Best book I've read in 2010(so far!)
Summary: 5 Stars
I read Cutting For Stone in only a few days. Granted, this is a 600 plus page book but I loved every moment. I loved Marion and Shiva(or should that be ShivaMarion-that'll only make sense if you've read the book). It was interesting to see the changes around Missing as the boys grow up, and they find their ultimate destinies there.
Missing hospital ("Missing" is a misspelling of "Mission" that was made once and never changed, and that's what everyone calls it) is where Marion and Shiva grow up, raised by Hema(who delivered them) and Ghosh, who is a loving, wise father who imparts much wisdom upon his sons.
The sorts of diseases that the doctors at Missing see are unusual anywhere else, but in Ethiopia, they are par for the course. People from all over Ethiopia come to Missing in Addis Ababa to be treated by Ghosh and Hema. The boys grow up around the hospital and when they are pre-teeens, they are working alongside Ghosh at Missing.
So it's no surprise that Marion and Shiva become doctors(though there are lots of twists and turns along the way). There is a theme of regret running through the book, involving relationships, which I won't spoil but it's resolved at the end.Kind of.
As someone who loves to cook(and to eat!) the descriptions of Ethiopian food made my mouth water!
Book Review: Amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
Like ShivaMarion, I grew up in East Africa, I went to private school there, and, as my mum taught midwifery, I grew up reading books on Obstetrics and Gynecology (as well as Gray's Anatomy).
Supposedly, Cutting For Stone is a piece of fiction. But then it is so well written it might as well be life. Rarely have I been so hungry as when reading the descriptions of injera and wot. The attempted coup is so well written I relived Kenya's 1982 attempted coup while reading this section.
The joy of watching Shiva growing up (Shiva's glee with the number 10,213,223 ), and his unexpected death after he gives Marion part of his liver, will take a lot from you.This is not a book for the faint of heart.
From the brutal attempt, by Thomas Stone, at killing his sons at birth to save his lover's life, to slaughtering cows, to public hangings, to fistulas and vasectomies: this is life.
This is a book in the grand tradition. I laughed so hard. I did cry, and stop, when two unexpected deaths occurred. A truly extraordinary and exceptional novel. Absolutely magical. To die for! A truly wonderful book on life.
And, if I may add, one of the best books ever written on Africa from an African's, not an expatriate's, view on life.