Cutting for Stone
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Is it just me, or was this book thoroughly disappointing?
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Mary
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rated it 1 star
Aug 03, 2013 01:44AM
I thought I would love this book. But I eneded up giving up half way through. Very disappointed.
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I hated the end !!! the writing style was verbose yes, but , for me, it enveloped me into another world which i consructed..but the end, oh my god, the end!!! why do all main characters need to die, get beaten, be widowed!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i mean come one, i didnt hang to all those words for this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I rather liked it. But perhaps it's because I didn't have any expectations. The story did jump around a bit too much, but I thought the content was interesting. I didn't know anything about Ethiopia and I found this a gentle introduction. I didn't know too much about how migrant doctors in NYC lived too, so that was also an eye-opener.
The only thing lacking was the "hole" that was the Father character. He was totally unsympathetic.
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..."
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..."
Mary wrote: "I thought I would love this book. But I eneded up giving up half way through. Very disappointed."Ymazing wrote: "I hated the end !!! the writing style was verbose yes, but , for me, it enveloped me into another world which i consructed..but the end, oh my god, the end!!! why do all main characters need to die..."
I thought that both Ymazing and Audrey made insightful comments about the book. But their criticisms were some of the things that made this book so special in my thoughts. Yes, their was a lot of death at the end, but that is pretty representative about life in general. Especially in a story about so many physical struggles and the personal struggles that doctors face. Audrey, the "hole" left by the father in the book represented that which many of us have felt. Absentee fathers often make some attempt at being a part of their grown children's lives but often it is a quick entry and exit. Too little, too late...I think the author demonstrates this beautifully...not using a lot of words setting it all up...it just happens and you feel "the hole"...Amazing work
Deborah wrote: "I thought that both Ymazing and Audrey made insightful comments about the book. But their criticisms were some of the things that made this book so special in my thoughts. Yes, their was a lot of..."Deborah, thank you for the comment about the "hole". But of course! I'm wondering why I hadn't seen it that way to begin with.
I was hooked right from the start, and thoroughly enjoyed this book. Different things appeal to different people (which is why Twilight is rated so highly by some and I thought it was drivel).Sometimes a book is just not the one you're in the mood for, so you don't enjoy it; or it throws you off by treating a character in a way that you don't want the story to go. It's fascinating to me how some people pan a book I love, and vice versa.
Deb wrote: "I was hooked right from the start, and thoroughly enjoyed this book. Different things appeal to different people (which is why Twilight is rated so highly by some and I thought it was drivel).Som..."
So true. Just shows that we all perceive life, including reading books, through filters and grooves based on personal experiences. Variety definitely adds spice to life so all our differences add great texture and interest to the human race.
Kiessa, I also was disappointed. I put it down (If I heard Sister Mary Joseph Praise once more I was going to put a bullet through the book!) more than once and even attempted to listen to it. No luck. I agree, it meandered and I thought the characters were very black and white. I had high hopes because I loved My Own Country, but it isn't fair to compare fiction and non-fiction
Interesting how different the taste in books is. I loved this book and could barely put it down.
Tim wrote: "Interesting how different the taste in books is. I loved this book and could barely put it down."You're right Tim. I think diversity makes the world go round and adds spice and sizzle to life - not just in books but all around. Imagine how bland and boring life would be if we were all the same, did the same things and had the same taste. What could we share that would make life more interesting?
Mj wrote: "Tim wrote: "Interesting how different the taste in books is. I loved this book and could barely put it down."You're right Tim. I think diversity makes the world go round and adds spice and sizzl..."
Totally true, Mj. And Tim. I'm on the side of LOVING CFS. Also heard the author interviewed on my local NPR station last year, which made me zip through it with gusto. Well, inordinate interest, anyway!
Deborah wrote: "If I hadn't read the comments of others, I would say...yes, it is just you!!! This book was definitely in the top 5 books I have ever read. I always wanted to be a doctor and found myself putting ..."I loved this book too! One of my all time favorites. I think if you gave up.. too bad! It was sooo worth reading on to the end.
Truly one of the best books that I have ever read. I finished over a year ago and still think about the well developed characters!
Joe wrote: "Yes, unfortunately I don't think you gave the book a fair shake. Yes, this book was a verbose at first, but once you got past the first 100 pages (or hour or so if you listened to the audio--I did ..."
Have to say in my opinion it must have been "just you". This book had me captivated and remains one of my all time favorites. The characters were intriguing, the relationships beautiful and I was engulfed with emotion at the end as well. Very well written. I would highly recommend it.
This book was a little too Forrest Gump for me -- the author wanted to express his opinions about certain things, so he plunked his characters into those situations. When one of the twins finds a woman he knew back home, I couldn't remember which one she was and I wasn't interested enough to page back to find out.
I liked this book well enough whenever I picked it up, and I did finish it over time, but I didn't feel compelled to read it. I know other book lovers who were also ho-hum about it.
Mar wrote: "This book was a little too Forrest Gump for me -- the author wanted to express his opinions about certain things, so he plunked his characters into those situations. When one of the twins finds a..."
Based on your comments were you intending to rate the book 4 stars?
I loved the book, the fact that it took place in Ethiopa, a place I knew nothing about. It was so much more than just twinning. The ending was sad.
Mj:Did I give it 4 stars? It was a while ago, and my rating system has evolved. Also, as time passes after you read a book, do your ratings change? I might have felt a bit more positive right after, but now ... I can't even recall how it ends. So I have to conclude the story was more white rice than oatmeal.
I'd say 3 1/2 stars, but we get no halves! I liked Hema, especially the airplane ride. I did finish it, and there are many books I do not finish. It didn't used to be that way; I used to slog through nearly anything.
Mar wrote: "Mj:Did I give it 4 stars? It was a while ago, and my rating system has evolved. Also, as time passes after you read a book, do your ratings change? I might have felt a bit more positive right aft..."
Mar, you did give it 4 stars. I am not able to see how that compares to your other ratings as your settings are set to private.
I too think halves would be nice. Actually, I'd like a 7 point rating system - sort tof the same difference. 4 could be average and there's definitive choices on either side.
Understand the ratings evolution. I have looked back and wondered. However I have not gone back yet and changed any ratings. Sometimes how much I love or not love a book has a lot to do with where my head was at the time and what was happening in my life.
I find people's differing views of the same book fascinating. That goodness we're not all the same. That's what makes the world go round.
Mj, I changed my privacy settings, but I don't think you will like what you see...
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..."
How disappointing. I loved the book and it is one of my all time favorites. It took me deep into a culture I was not aware of and I was lost in the experience.
Mar wrote: "Mj, I changed my privacy settings, but I don't think you will like what you see..."Not sure why I wouldn't like what I see. Variety is the spice of life and all animal lovers are great in my books.
Loved this book...you have to be patient when you first start it. Great read and extremely interesting.
John wrote: "The first 100 pages are definitely a struggle to get through. It felt like 9 months...but once you get through that part, it really becomes an excellent read. I loved it."Kiessa wrote: "My hopes for this book soared. I expected an East of Eden style epic. I expected to love, love LOVE it!
I agree but form me it was just past about the 50 page mark.
Instead, it felt like a meandering piece of literature that didn't know where it was going..."
Yes loved
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..."
I agree. I just got so angry after I had finished it. The actions of Shiva at the end were so out of character, if the author had wanted him to end up at Missing, then he should have just bought him a plane ticket! There was too much serendipity, coincidence and divine intervention. Very disappointing!
I loooved it! but...it did have a slow start I would agree. But the content of the story made up for that quickly.
Will wrote: "I loooved it! but...it did have a slow start I would agree. But the content of the story made up for that quickly."totally agree!!
Will wrote: "I loooved it! but...it did have a slow start I would agree. But the content of the story made up for that quickly."I agree with you. Loved it also.
Nancy from NJ wrote: "I was also disappointed. Never understood what others saw in this book to rave about. I read two books which I thought were much better about similar situations - A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistr..."You have to read water for elephants, now that is a GREAT read. I am very disappointed so far on this book
This is to date the best book I have read in a decade. It touched me so deeply it brought me to tears at the end. I absolutely loved it.
The author describes a father walking in public with a daughter who has a disability that makes her the object of scorn. It was the most heart-breaking and beautifully rendered passages of literature I have ever read. It completely took my breath away.One of the criticisms I frequently read is that it goes too heavily into medical jargon. I hope that readers aren't passing over this marvelous book for that reason. You get to learn all this cool stuff about surgery and human anatomy in a fantastic work of fiction. I consider it a bonus.
I dislike the theme of tragic and hopeless love. If that's what put you off, then I agree. But it's been around since Romeo and Juliet, so no foul on Verghese's part. Thanks a lot Shakespeare!
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..."
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..."
Its just you. It is a great book.
I read this book without having any expectations and I thought it was a very good.
I think this story should be listened to, though I must admit as the first chapter gave way to the second I thought I must have missed something. Upon replay, I realized it was one of those stories that send readers reeling into the past and then catapults them back to the present without any fanfare. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing this; it is long, but the narrator was superb and provided a beautiful range of voices. I think the author played each character exactly as they should have been and admittedly I was in tears quite a bit. I had no problem understanding the complex natures of each character and that complexity makes them all the more believable. The author obviously has great insight into human nature which is why I continue to wonder if at least part of this wasn't in some way true. Don't give up, try listening to this great work.
This is one of my favorite novels of all time. I am sorry you didn't like it.
This was one of my all time favorite books ever. But we all have different tastes
I loved this book.
Sherry wrote: "It took me a second reading of "Peace Like a River" Who is the author of "Peace Like a River"? There are quite a few books by that title. Thanks, Fay
Fay wrote: "Sherry wrote: "It took me a second reading of "Peace Like a River" Who is the author of "Peace Like a River"? There are quite a few books by that title. Thanks, Fay"
The most widely read Peace Like a River was written by Leif Enger. I bought it at a book sale because it came highly recommended. I haven't read it yet but my partner has and quite enjoyed it.
this book is one of my BEST reading.
Thanks for your reply.Fay
It wasn't just you.I was definitely in the minority being bored stiff by this one, but I found it kind of repetitive... some very good observations here and there... but it felt blah to me.
Maybe I was just hoping for something different. I did learn a bit about fistulas and Ethiopia and liver transplants...
Cutting for Stones is an awesome book. One of the most cherished read!
Anna wrote: "I know this is a book that will divide nations and it always will be, but I loved this book. Yes the first 100 or so pages are a bit hard to read through, but like many others I could not put it do..."Anna I loved what you wrote. It was so authentic and heartfelt and so apropos for the book. I highly recommend that you share what you've written here with all other readers in a Review on Goodreads. All you need to do is cut and paste exactly what you've shared in this Discussion Group. Anyone thinking about reading Cutting for Stone would benefit greatly by reading what you've written.
One of my favorite books of all time. I still think about it and the many types of love depicted. Like others here have mentioned...it impacted me more when I was finished reading it than while I was reading it.
this is definitely up there in the top 20 books of all time. I loved it when I read it and liked it even more as an audiobook. Would loved to see this become a classic
I think it's just you. I thought the book was brilliant! I loved it from start to finish.
I loved the book, love the characters, love the story. I have been traveling in Ethiopia, read about the country history before, and this book added color and sound to my knowledge of the country. I read it as it was a real story - so much author made me to be involved.
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