Cutting for Stone – Abraham Verghese
5 out of 5 stars
This book has left me speechless. Speechless in the way that I have finished it a few days ago and I still have no clue how to write a good review about it. A good review being one that will get the message across that this is a must read, without getting on everybody’s nerves with my gushing. Throughout the book, I couldn’t help but remark to myself that I absolutely loved it. Having finished it, I still feel the same way, maybe even more so. Not because it was over, but because the ending managed to leave an even bigger impression than the rest of the book already had. Cutting for Stone will, I feel, be a high contender for “best book I’ve read this year” and it’s certainly at the top of that list at the moment.
Cutting for Stone is about two twin brothers: Marion and Shiva, sons of an Indian nun and a British surgeon, Thomas Stone who were living in Ethiopia. Since sister Mary Praise dies in labour and Doctor Stone flees the country as soon as he realizes that Mary Praise is dead and he is now a father, the brothers are raised by two of the other staff-members: Hema and Ghosh. We follow their childhood- and young-adult years growing up in a country divided by war and revolution, while the twins struggle to come to terms with their own past, death and an event leading to a separation between the brothers. Eventually, Marion leaves for the United States to finish his education as a surgeon, but of course this doesn’t resolve the issues he left behind in Ethiopia.
I really don’t feel I did the plot justice, but I can’t seem to figure out how to do so without giving too much away. I know that when I read the summary on the back cover of the book, I wasn’t all that sure if I was going to like it, and I’m sure my summary isn’t any better, but please don’t let that keep you from reading the book! There’s so much to love and respond to in here. I think most of that is due to the realistic voice of the story. Even though the story deals with a variety of grant issues, it never is dramatic or over-the-top. It feels like this story might’ve happened to anyone. And what I liked most is that you’re shown the good and bad sides of almost any character and you really experience their growth and development throughout the story. And I do not mean just Marion and Shiva, the same goes for Hema, Ghosh, Thomas Stone and many of the more minor characters involved.
Personally, I enjoyed reading about the Ethiopian scenes most, but I cannot say I cared less for the US scenes, since the ending takes place there and certainly deserves its own praise. The only thing I might’ve found fault with in this book is the use of surgical language. Abraham Verghese is a doctor himself and that certainly shines through in this book. I wasn’t a fan of the detailed depictions of surgical manoeuvres, but then again I am very squeamish and tend to faint at the sight of blood so it might not be a problem for everyone. In the end, these scenes did not bother me enough to give it anything but a five-star-rating.
When I finished reading Cutting for Stone, I felt I wanted to reread it straight away; it’s that sort of book. Right now I feel I want to savour it and reread it in a few years time. When I do, I expect the book will make as much of an impact as it did this time.
Before I forget: Thanks to Rebecca and Amy for recommending this book to me!
Woo hoo! Delighted to find someone who loved this as much as I did. This was one of the choices of the newly launched TV Bookclub show here in the UK and I really enjoyed it.
You’re right that it is very hard to do it justice review-wise as it doesn’t really fall into any easily identifiable genre/style. What could have been an overly sentimental story is made very real – perhaps it is the author’s medical background which makes the story more grounded. The Ethiopian scenes were my favourite sections too – made me really want to visit that country. It would make a wonderful film, don’t you think?
I do think it’d make a wonderful film, although I’d be scared it’d lose some of its impact?
My copy has a little sticker on it saying it’s a TV Bookclub pick. I had no clue what that was, but googled it after you mentioned it.
I LOVED this book too! It is my favourite read of the year so far. I’m really pleased to see that you enjoyed it as much as I did.
I’m glad you liked it as well
I went over to your blog and read your review. I noticed the medical language did stand out to you as well.
I MUST read this! My plan is to suggest it to my book club next month – that way I’ll get to it even sooner.
I would love to read it with a book club, however I do feel it depends on the sort of book club you’re in: some people might think the book’s a bit long to read as a bookclub choice.
I think the length is what is frightening me off of this one at the moment. I have so much going on that I have to read that I am wary of huge books. But I continue to hear phenomenal things about this one so I will definitely get to it at some point.
Nicole, don’t be put off, it’s a very readable, accessible book – you’ll love it!
I agree, it is a very readable book. But it is lengthy and I can understand that length puts you off. It took me about a week to finish, which meant I had little to post about all week.
I’ve read so many great reviews of this book. I may just have to cave in & read it.
You should, is all I can say really
i keep seeing this at the store and am so very tempted to pick it up. thank you for the wonderful review!
i have to agree that the synopsis doesn’t really market this book very well, but i’m still very interested in it and will definitely try to fit it in to my reading schedule in the very near future.
Fitting a book into your reading schedule can turn out to be so hard. I often struggle with it. Be sure to take your time to read this one.
I’ve only read the first sentence of your review and I am now convinced to pick that book up from my shelf right now. Not reading the whole review yet, don’t want to spoil my reading pleasure. I will get back to you once I’ve finished it!
Oh, I hope you enjoy it!
Good thing I’m already on the holds list for this one!
Oh, I’m glad to hear that you’ll read it somewhere in the future. I’ll be looking forward to your review.
Will put this one on my list to read. Thanks.
Thank you for leaving a comment
It’s always nice to meet a fellow bookblogger.
You convinced me as well!
I´m glad you reviewed this because I think I wouldn´t have picked it up from reading the summary. Now if only my library would acquire the English edition.
I do hope your library gets the English edition soon. I’d be hesitant to read it in translation, but then again, translators do a great job sometime.
I’ve just recently bought this. My husband is reading it right now and really enjoying it. Can’t wait to start it myself. Great review!
I hope you get to read it soon & that you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you for the comment.
At least five people pointed me to your site. Thank u for your marvelous and so generous review of my book. I wish the NYTBR had used you instead of a person who did not get the book and probably stalled our momentum coming out of the gate given that so many look to the NYT for their cues. In any case word of mouth has more than made up for that and it is the 12rh week on the list. Thank u again for the heartfelt review, a dream review I should say, and please know that I am so grateful.
Thank you for your very kind comment. It’s great to see that an author of such a lovely book would leave a comment. To be honest, I’m quite blown away by it.
Personally, I rely much more on word of mouth and I tend to give books that become “big” in that manner much more credit. It is a shame things didn’t work out with the NYTBR though.
SQUEE!! and author comment! Your first paragraph has sold me on this (and then I stopped reading – I don’t want to know a thing about it.)
I’m glad to hear my first paragraph was that convincing
I can’t gush enough about this book, so am SOOOOO happy you have now written a gushing post that I can fully agree with! This was one of my top 10 fiction reads last year
I can only say that I’m happy you and Rebecca convinced me to order it & that I listened to you. You’re now both on my list of people who’s recommendations I believe right away.
What a compliment! I hope I don’t disappoint at some point.
It is of course a huge responsibility
I do feel that way sometimes though, what if I recommend a book that others dislike when they read it? I’m sure youll be fine though 
What a glowing review! I will definitely be getting my hands on this at some point
The book deserves a glowing review, really. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did when you read it.
This sounds so interesting, but like you mentioned with your own response to the surgeries, I don’t know if I could handle those. Sadly, I’m about as big of a scaredy-cat when it comes to blood (strangely, not my own), as it comes. It looks good. So maybe I could skim/skip the surgeries?
I don’t think you could be any worse than me when it comes to blood
I do think you can read the book, even if you have such issues with blood and surgeries. There are a few scenes in which there’s a lot of description, but you could always skim those and start reading at the next page again. I say go for it, it’s worth it.
Okay, okay. I cave and will get it ASAP. Great review.
I feel proud to be able to convince you to read a book
I love your heading! I want to read this book and need to get to it..and I’m already dreading it being over!
I hope you’ll enjoy the book as much as I did when you get around to reading it
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Wow, this book seems to have garnered a lot of praise. I’ve seen it advertised in the tube here and keeping seeing the posters on my way to work. The whole concept seems interesting, especially the mixing of cultures and the effect it has on people and their decisions, something I love reading about.
I’m just catching up with all your posts, but I wanted to read them properly, so you’ll be seeing a whole wad of comments from me
Thank you for taking the time to catch up with my posts, that’s very nice of you.
I’ve never seen posters for this book, but it does seem to be praised widely in the blogging community.
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