Breathe To Read

Breathe To Read

Monday, January 7, 2019

Read The World - Ethiopia - Cutting For Stone

Book: Cutting For Stone
Author: Abraham Verghese
Pages: 667
Book Takes Place in the Country: YES
Author is from the Country:  YES
I have visited: no


I read this book before I started this blog.  I cannot remember the year, but when someone recommedned it to me as the book to read from Ethiopia, I remembered it immediately.  It is a daunting book at 667 pages, but well worth the effort.  


This is the story of Marion and Shiva Stone.  They are twin brothers who were born between a Indian nun and a British surgeon.  The brothers are conjoined twins, and their mother dies in childbirth.  Their father - presumably the surgeon (Thomas Stone who delivers them) does stick around to care for the boys.  The boys are surgically separated, and then they are, adopted by another surgeon named Ghosh.  

The boys, grow up in Ethiopia and strive to become doctors.  Shiva is smart and his studies come easy to him, while Marion has to work for it.  The story winds through the life of the boys growing up in Ethiopia and their move to New York City and then back again.  And in the end, when one of the boys tragically dies, we are left heartbroken.

It really is a good book.  It is a bit technical as related to medicine, but if you can push through, it is definitely worth the read.  It is about relationships, bonds (even conjoined twins can become estranged), and idealism.  It also is an honest appraisal of true friendship and committment. 

Check it out - the story is riveting and I promise you won't be disappointed.

Stars:  4






No comments:

Post a Comment