Cutting for Stone by
Abraham Verghese (Vintage; Reprint edition:January 26, 2010)
(NOVEL)
Reviewed by Lisa Proehl
Abraham Verghese is a physician and author. His two non-fiction
books are My Own Country, about his work
with AIDS patients in rural Tennessee, and The
Tennis Partner, a memoir of a difficult friendship. Cutting for Stone is his first novel.
The story is set in Ethiopia, where conjoined twins Marion and
Shiva Stone are born and immediately lose their mother, a nun, to the
complicated pregnancy. What follows is the story of their coming of age as
Ethiopia hovers close to revolution. The twins share a very strong connection
with each other, a fascination with medicine, and eventually a passion for the
same woman.
There are several plot twists which keep the reader engaged
throughout the novel. What resonated most deeply for me was the beautiful
expression of the power and beauty of doing healing work, as well as the
profound love and connection between the twin brothers.
My favorite book of 2010! I highly recommend it.
I had never heard of this book, but it sounds very interesting. I will have to keep my eye out for it and look forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteLisa Morris
Lisa, our review inspired me. I'm listening to the book on CD in my car. I'm not very far along, but I'm impressed with the quality of the writing. The author could be a poet! And the plot is keeping my attention!
ReplyDeleteI had the priviledge to work in a clinic next to Abraham Verghese while working at UIHC. He worked in the HIV clinic while enrolled in the Iowa Writer's Workshop. He has been back to Iowa City frequently, and Sue and I have heard book readings by him twice. He is an articulate and intelligent man. I have read all his books except this one, and plan read it very soon. Lisa, good review! Chuck Dayton
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