Is it just me, or was this book thoroughly disappointing?

[Patricia]

I loved Cutting for Stone and was so disappointed when it ended. I found the characters engaging and I had a vested interest in their stories. Although I have nothing to do with the medical profession, I really enjoyed reading the medical details.

[Whitty]

I wound up really liking this book. I was not impressed with the first 100 pages but I stuck with it, settled into the story and just read away. It's a dense book yet I found it to be so interesting! The theme of how our actions and omissions impact our destiny and that of those around us really resonated with me. It's a simple idea, has been written about time and time again, but it developed beautifully in this story. My only real criticism of the book was that it was too long.

[Meseret]

the first few pages are boring but the booking is sooooooooooo good. it is on best book list

[Rebecca]

I loved this book, it reminded me of John Irving's writing.

[Caroline]

I found it disappointing also, Becca. I was just expecting more.....

[Lynn]

Agreed. Found his first book more interesting, probably due to my career background. I could not get past about 30 pages in this one. Author is much too wordy, but says nothing.

[Diane]

The first 200 pages were overly written and unnecessary. If he "cut that stone out " and tightened it up, it would have been a better read.

[Julia]

Genia wrote: "I've read the whole thing, beginning to end. Sorry, but it only got worse as we went along. And the end? I've already read My Sister's Keeper; I didn't need a reiteration.

I actually find it sligh..."

I agree. I've read A Tale of Two Cities maybe three times and I still don't like it and some people insist that I just haven't done it right. I felt like Cutting for Stone could have used some serious editing. Having fewer words would have made this a better story.

[☯Emily]

It definitely needed a good editor!

[Kathie]

I loved this book. It was deep and had a lot of emotion and intelligence depicted in the central characters. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time because the characters got so into my head. I read it in February and have read numerous things since then but this is still one of the better things I've read this year.

[Meseret]

kaegea wrote: "I loved this book. It was deep and had a lot of emotion and intelligence depicted in the central characters. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time because the characters got so int..."

the same with me

[Ellis]

I thought it was excellent! I posted a review on my blog:
http://ellisshuman.blogspot.co.il/201...

[Barbara]

Kiessa wrote: "My hopes for this book soared. I expected an East of Eden style epic. I expected to love, love LOVE it!

Instead, it felt like a meandering piece of literature that didn't know where it was going..."

The book is strong on "epic sweep," but the writing itself is not "writerly."

[Jo]

I loved this book. Different than my usual book choices (I'm more a mystery/detective/spy reader), and it was refreshing. I learned about a part of the world that I knew nothing about, and found the characters enthralling.

[Terri]

One of the most amazing stories and well written books I have ever read. It is not superficial plot. There are a lot of layers so it can be a bit slow to come together.

[Kathie]

Couldn't agree more...sometimes a story is just a story...but the characters are deep and complicated. For me the love of those books comes in the context of a lifetime. (The fictional characters and sometimes my own.) I had to slow my mind down to get to that. Drama is not always revealed in stand alone episodes... but in very human situations. It is all about the big picture. I can't imagine not rereading this at some point.

[Betty]

I loved this book it kept me on wanting to stop everything and just read this book. Amazing book. They ought to make a movie out of this book.

[Maelia]

I just could not get into this book no matter how hard I tried. I read the first fifty pages, then the first hundred pages, and kept expecting all the birth flashbacks to be over, but they kept dragging on. I thought the book would be about the character's adult development, and I found it hard to believe that the one scene of Marion's birth had so deeply influenced him into adulthood - how should he even remember it? It was terribly wordy, and every time I wanted to know more about a character or topic, the author changed directions and wrote about something else. The setting and the situation that the author chose were riveting - so why did he choose to bore us with irrelevant side information and go off on tangents all of the time? This book needed much tighter editing and less musing introspection in the narrator to grip me.

[Nancy]

I'm reading this now. The first 1/3 (or maybe more) really drug along for me. Just slow and tedious - it was almost like a "have" to read (I was in too far to just give it up). But now it is really picking up and I am *wanting* to read it...

[Barb]

I agree that this book was a disappointment. I am surprised that many people liked it.

[Gale]

Crystal wrote: "I agree. It was a great book!"

5 stars to me. To each his own...we have lots of very different books for the wide variety of preferences. When I assess a book here, I rate it in my shelves according to how much I, myself, like it. if I were grading the book, it could be entirely different. But that's just me.

[Zephyr9]

Kiessa wrote: "I will track down A Fine Balance. ..."

A Fine Balance is one of the best books I've ever listened to in my life. I also found "Cutting for Stone" an excellent work.

[Quinndara]

I loved this book. It was well written and remains one of my favorites. Great story.

[Patricia]

This is one of the best books I've ever read. But then you have to like depth, descriptive details...it's not a fast or fun read. I like everything this author has written. I've seen him speak, and he presents like he writes: a slow elegance, part poet, part philosoper.

[Lorrie]

Where have you seen him speak, Patricia? The book was superb. I'd love to hear him too!

[Debra]

It's just you. I loved the book.

[Aura]

This was a hefty book that requires a lot from the reader. As I read, I didnt want it to end and was sad when it ended. I loved it. I loved the story and I enjoyed the interesting medical perspective.

[Gwenn]

I really enjoyed this book, but there were some in my book club that did not agree. I would rate this book four stars as far as my personal reading.

[Cindy]

I really enjoyed the book. Love the characters, loved the story.

[Dani]

Debra wrote: "It's just you. I loved the book."

Agree! Loved this book!

[Marcie]

My book club loved it too!

[Pam]

I loved this book--my favorite read in a long time!

[Susy]

I liked it a lot, but thought there were too many strange medical conditions. Saw the liver transplant coming from 10 miles off and, by that time, was groaning. Enjoyed the descriptions of American hospital working conditions for immigrants, but at the same time thought that entire part belonged elsewhere--not in this somewhat lyrical, sometimes almost Rushdie-esque story of Africa.

[Ajay]

You never start reading anything to love it.. A ridiculous idea.. The book was in one word "Poignant".

[Heather]

I loved this book. At times I wanted it to go in a different direction, however, I think it was well written. :)

[Linda]

Megowen wrote: "I loved it. It had emotions, it had elegance and serenity. I felt I was breathing fresher air when I was reading it."

I so agree with you. I liked this author so much I read his nonfiction "My Own Country" which is about the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic."

[Andy]

I found this book completely compelling, breath-taking, and awesome. I wouldn't worry if you didn't, though. There are great works of literature that some readers just don't connect to--we're human beings with different likes and tastes. As long as there are books out there that move you, that's fine. This just didn't speak to you.
1/2 of my reading friends LOVED The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo books and I didn't get past book 1. One man's trash is another man's treasure...

[Fiona]

I'm surprised you didn't enjoy it as I consider it one of the better books i've read. All the different threads in the story were beautifully brought together by the conclusion. It had great imagery and was excellent with portraying the characters' emotions.

[Jean Willis]

Viviana D. wrote: "This is one of the greatest books I have read. Beautifully written with rich and vivid imagery and excellent prose. The voice he chose for each of his characters was exceptional. GREAT BOOK!"

Agree!

[Jean Willis]

kaegea wrote: "I loved this book. It was deep and had a lot of emotion and intelligence depicted in the central characters. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time because the characters got so int..."

Agree....

[Pam]

I adore this man's writing style and follow him on Facebook. Whenever he suggests a book I attempt to read it and have never liked his selections. I find that interesting. Perhaps he is attracted to authors who have a completely different style or maybe it's a genre thing. I haven't finished his other two books either. I am really drawn to the medical stuff and he is certainly credible there.

[Janet]

I couldn't finish it...way too long -- don't know how it ended but didn't seem like it was going to be worth the time to read.

NOTE -- I almost NEVER quit reading a book.

[Bobby]

Janet wrote: "I couldn't finish it...way too long -- don't know how it ended but didn't seem like it was going to be worth the time to read.

NOTE -- I almost NEVER quit reading a book."

Janet Sue!!! Ashamed of you. This was a great read!!!

[Zephyr9]

@Linda: I liked this author so much I read his "My Own Country"."

Another excellent book. I second your endorsement,

[Auntie Simone]

It took awhile to become engrossed in the story but once I did, it was hard to put the book down. The character of Ghosh is very well-developed as is the theme of Abu Kassem's slippers - not only our actions, but also our omissions, become our destiny.

[Annette]

This was without a doubt, one of my favorite all-time books. I loved the characters. I think it's a book that you can't read over the course of weeks. It's better to stick with it so start it when you have some time. I could not put it down once I got into it.

[Marcie]

Zephyr9 wrote: "@Linda: I liked this author so much I read his "My Own Country"."

Another excellent book. I second your endorsement,"

So did I, now I'm going to read The Tennis Partner

[Jean]

This was my favorite book last year, partly because I had to get past all the medical terms and try to see where it was headed. Challenging, but oh so satisfying in the end.

[Himesh]

when i first started, it was a bit boring. it took me more than a month to get through the first 100 pages, can you imagine it?
but its true, it was a real displeasure reading this book at first.
But, as i crossed the 150 mark, the story seemed to be quite elegant and it was just so beautiful to touch your heart.
one of my favorite book of all times. I really loved reading this book. It took me to another world full of peace and serenity.
I think you had a bad impression smudged in your mind about this book by reading its first few pages.

[Cathy]

Jean wrote: "Viviana D. wrote: "This is one of the greatest books I have read. Beautifully written with rich and vivid imagery and excellent prose. The voice he chose for each of his characters was exceptional...."

Jean and Viviana D.: Agree with you both. And as to the original question? "Yes, dear, I think it's you." Do not want to start a storm because I know different people like different things. But this is my five star book of the year and I am so happy I read it. It stays with me still.