Cutting for Stone: A novel
by Abraham Verghese
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Book Reviews of Cutting for Stone: A novel
Book Review: Cutting for Stone
Summary: 4 Stars
Cutting for Stone is a vibrant, multi-leveled novel that works on many levels - medical, theological, sociological, and probably others that did not surface for me. That said, the book was, for the most part, very good. It reminded me a lot of Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie. Both books are mystical, mythical, and very broad in their scope. The writing in both in superb.
For me, the first three-fourths of the book was great. The ambiance of Missing Hospital in Addis Ababa, and the interweavings of the lives in the hospital were seamless and captivating. The last part of the book started disintegrating. There were just too many co-incidences. The primary character became almost self-righteous, being the victim of too many circumstances but nmever claiming responsibility for his life. The end was almost too predictable.
However, the book is well worth reading. It was one of those books that I didn't want to put down when my eyes got too heavy to keep reading at night. I do recommend it, even though it was not a great novel.
Book Review: Medical Fiction
Summary: 4 Stars
I was on the fence between three stars and four. Brilliant but uneven. On the one hand: Indian doctors in Ethopia in the 1950's (fascinating, historical setting), wonderful use of language in the writing, and a multi-level identity story with twins and a missing father. On the other hand, the pace in Ethopia gets dreadfully slow at times, the identity story is not well-handled (the author-so sure-footed with the historical and, especially, the medical material-seems to know much less about the identity issues), and the stylish writing is inadequate compensation. While written as a fictional memoir, the voice would be best-described as omniscient first person, which undermines the author's efforts at realism. The medical portions are also extremely graphic and detailed, so much so that the clothing of the story becomes threadbare, and it becomes a medical book; suddenly you are reading a surgical Oliver Saks. Still, I learned a lot, will remember a lot and apart from an unduly long middle portion and a relatively weak love-of-his-life story line, enjoyed the book.Book Review: Very human and deep!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a magnificent, sweeping novel of a very high caliber, which moves from India to Ethiopia to an inner-city hospital in New York City over decades and generations.
During a sea voyage, Sister Mary Joseph Praise, a devout young nun, saves the life of an English doctor bound for Ethiopia, Thomas Stone. They meet up again at Missing Hospital in Addis Ababa and seven years later, Sister Praise dies birthing twin boys: Shiva and Marion. At the age of 50, Marion tells his and his brother's personal history, the passion they shared for the same woman which caused their separation during many years and Marion's illness which brought them back together. The story is set against the political turmoil in Ethiopia, the life of the hospital compound in which they grew up and the love story of their adoptive parents, both doctors at Missing.
Cutting for Stone has many stories and layers and the characters are wonderfully depicted.
Joyce Akesson author of Love's Thrilling Dimensions
Book Review: First book of 2009 thatI consider a "must read"
Summary: 4 Stars
I just finished reading this book over the weekend after reading the reviews by others. I have tos ay that this book is the first that I have read in 2009 that I would consider a "must read."
The story begins with the birth of conjoined twins, the sons of a nursing nun and a doctor who are both working at a clinic in Ethiopia.
I enjoyed that while one character (Thomas) was the narrarator, we got intimate glimpses of all of the other characters and how their values and personalities changed over time. It was unusual for me to start out with a dislike of a character (Ghosh), only to have a totally different opinion less than a few chapters later.
The only reason for 4 stars is that I think the story between Thomas and his "sister" is somewhat unbelievable, and Thomas' reactions to her reappearance are not consistent with what his character's values seemed to be.
This is a great book, and I am going to read the author's other work.
Book Review: Very unusual story in a beautifully written package
Summary: 5 Stars
The backdrop of this story is so unusual, I might not have read it but for the great reviews, but I'm so glad I did. Like The Kite Runner, it presents a world I know only though limited news photos and felt no particular bond with, but this story debunks any stereotypes or pre-conceived notions by bringing both the place and people inhabiting it to life. There is much to admire in these multi-layered characters and I felt I learned from them even from the printed page.
The writing is simply wonderful. Captivating, compelling, evocative. The author's style is at once graceful and strong, humble and bold, and paints a picture of extraordinary depth. I felt pulled into the world of vibrant colors, scents and people and learned something about medicine in the process. I feel like I'm a better world citizen because of this experience. The book is the most thought-provoking thing I've read in ages, as well as being a fascinating story. Highly recommended.