Cutting for Stone in Around the World

Jun 11, 2013 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, fiction, literary-fiction, novels, 2013-around-the-world, ebooks

I'd seen this pop up periodically on my friends' list on Goodreads, almost always with raves and often five stars. But I avoided it for a while because what I'd heard of the plot made it sound so unbelievably ludicrous. The story of a Siamese twin born to a disgraced nun? Seriously? I thought it would be one of those absurd pretentious literary works, steeped in misery with touches of magical realism. Well, not in the usual sense, but I found it magical and realistic in different ways, and nigh I'd seen this pop up periodically on my friends' list on Goodreads, almost always with raves and often five stars. But I avoided it for a while because what I'd heard of the plot made it sound so unbelievably ludicrous. The story of a Siamese twin born to a disgraced nun? Seriously? I thought it would be one of those absurd pretentious literary works, steeped in misery with touches of magical realism. Well, not in the usual sense, but I found it magical and realistic in different ways, and nigh UN-putdownable, a true page turner and very, very quotable. It mostly takes place in Ethiopia--in fact I finally slotted it in to fill a need in my 52-books-around-the-world challenge. But it also had one of the most vivid descriptions I've ever read of my hometown of New York City--as a "superorganism."

Some say they're put off by the jargon, and one reviewer said she wondered if someone not steeped in medical terminology would enjoy this book so much, because this is a book about doctors and doctoring. Well, the closest I got to medical training was a short time as a candy-striper and a brief period of pre-med (until I hit Organic Chemistry and decided maybe I should try law school instead.) But the jargon-filled text didn't bother me--I rather reveled in it. My shiny new ereader might have helped. Tap on a bothersome word, then tap again at the "Look Up" and voilà definition. That probably helped. But I also love books that transport me to a different place or time or initiate me into the mysteries of a profession. And this does. Verghese is himself a physician and his knowledge and love for the profession is contagious. I was fascinated by his picture of medical practice in both the third (Ethiopia) and first (Bronx) world.

It's also uncomfortable at times. I admit it wasn't just Organic Chemistry that dissuaded me. To be a doctor is also to be confronted with mortality--that of others and your own. It made me think of the physicians I've known--especially our family doctor Dr. Karl Nacht. He was killed some years ago in a traffic accident. We've had other doctors since, but no one can replace him. Because like doctors in this book, he never forgot he was treating patients--people--not diseases. And that is why I'm giving this book a five, because it made me think about life and the people I've known living it, and not many books do that.

I'm not sure really what is meant, or at least fully meant, by the title. It comes from the Hippocratic Oath: "I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art." I think it's connected to something Ghosh says, "own who you are... own the talents you have, and own the ones you don't." So maybe the bottom line is both "know thyself" as well as "heal thyself?" ...more

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Apr 09, 2012 Friederike Knabe rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Abraham Verghese, medical doctor and accomplished non-fiction writer demonstrates his outstanding ability to combine vivid imagination and deep professional expertise and humanitarian commitment into a novel that grabs you from the first pages. Dramatic, emotionally charged and beautifully written, the story rarely of the people, the culture and the historical upheavals that Ethiopia went through during the later years of Emperor Haile Selassi's reign and what followed diminishes its hold on th Abraham Verghese, medical doctor and accomplished non-fiction writer demonstrates his outstanding ability to combine vivid imagination and deep professional expertise and humanitarian commitment into a novel that grabs you from the first pages. Dramatic, emotionally charged and beautifully written, the story rarely of the people, the culture and the historical upheavals that Ethiopia went through during the later years of Emperor Haile Selassi's reign and what followed diminishes its hold on the reader until well after the book is closed.

Much has been said in close to 700 amazon reviews and the plot such as it is does not need to be repeated. For me the individual characters are exquisitely depicted; they come to life off the page and will stay in my mind for some time. It is a collection of people, rich in their individuality and diversity, yet fundamentally also connected through deep emotional bonds and a common fate, having been displaced into another geographical space at some time in their lives and bridging their own traditions with those of their environment. Marion, the primary narrator, is the more tentative and deeply reflective of the identical twins, while Shiva appears to carry autistic aspects in his personality. He is the action person: mirror images in many ways. Marion's life's path is also consistent with his character, even when one wonders sometimes about his reaction or single-mindedness in some specific circumstances. Coincidences can at times seem a bit too convenient to be probable. But these and others are only very minor irritants in the rich, insightful and overall powerful novel. While much medical details are given that might lead some readers to skipping a few pages here and there, I found them illuminating and essential, especially in the context of the work at "Missing" (the hospital in Addis).

Having had a strong personal interest in Ethiopia and its history for quite some time, I was reluctant to read the novel, concerned that I would find fault with authenticity and historical detail. Yet, I did not need to worry. Having also spent time in different parts of the country and in Eritrea, I can only marvel at Verghese's sensitive and realistic portrayal of the people, the culture and the historical upheavals that Ethiopia went through during the later years of Emperor Haile Selassi's reign and what followed. ...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Joy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: around-the-world-in-80-books

Cutting for Stone is a heart-gripping, page-turning read. It starts a little slow, but really picks up pace once you connect to these beautiful characters. It's the story of twin boys, born in scandal & abandonment, raised in love, and separated by betrayal. Set in the beautiful country of Ethiopia, the land & its inhabitants sweeps you away. I won't give a recap of the plot, just read it if you enjoy good fiction. I wasn't sure I would like it, because of how long it was taking me to finish it, ...more

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Feb 05, 2012 Sara rated it it was amazing

Shelves: india, historical-fiction, africa, 2012

This book is among my favorites books now. I am sure I will remember Marion and Shiva in years to come.
The story was touching, heart wrenching and beautiful.
Abraham Verghese is an author to follow. Can't wait to read more of his work. ...more

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