Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese: The Show Me 5 Saturday Meme

So here is my Show Me 5 Saturday meme book description. The book I’m reviewing is: “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese.

So then, here are the answers to each of the five questions for the Cutting for Stone summary…

1.Title of the book I read this week

“Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese

2. Words to describe the book

In short, Medicine, Family, Love

3. Setting and characters I met in the book

3.1 The Setting:

To begin with, the story unfolds primarily in Ethiopia, at a fictional hospital called Missing in the capital city of Addis Ababa. The name is a play on “Mission”. In truth, the time frame is several decades. Furthermore, it touches on significant political and historical events in Ethiopia. Events like the fall of Emperor Haile Selassie, the rise of Communism, and the long period of social unrest and revolution. Then we notice the descriptions of the landscape, culture, medical practices, and the political climate of Ethiopia. All this plays an essential role in the narrative, creating a vibrant backdrop for the characters’ lives.

3.2 Characters:

3.2.1 Marion Stone:

Without a doubt, one of the twin brothers who are the novel’s protagonists. Born conjoined and separated at birth, Marion is intelligent, thoughtful, and compassionate. Trained as a surgeon, his journey through medicine and life forms the heart of the book.

3.2.2 Shiva Stone:

Marion’s twin brother, who is also involved in medicine but follows a more unconventional path. His relationship with Marion is complex, filled with love, tension, and misunderstanding.

3.2.3 Thomas Stone:

The twins’ biological father, a brilliant and enigmatic surgeon at Missing Hospital. Unquestionably, his abandonment of the twins at birth casts a long shadow over their lives.

3.2.4 Sister Mary Joseph Praise:

The twins’ mother, a Carmelite nun and nurse who dies during childbirth. Her life and death are shrouded in mystery and significantly affect the characters throughout the novel.

3.2.5 Ghosh and Hema:

Surgeons at Missing, they become the twins’ adoptive parents after Sister Mary Joseph Praise’s death and Thomas Stone’s departure. They are loving, wise, and serve as mentors to the boys, guiding them in both medicine and life.

3.2.6 Genet:

A childhood friend of the twins who becomes more deeply involved in their lives as they grow older. Her relationship with Marion and Shiva takes on various complex dimensions and leads to significant consequences in the plot.

Undoubtedly, the characters’ relationships and the novel’s setting in Ethiopia provide a rich and textured framework. This paves the way for exploring themes of family, medicine, politics, and love. To clarify, there is a distinct cultural and historical aspects of Ethiopia. This infuses the narrative with a unique perspective and depth. Verghese’s medical background lends authenticity to the medical aspects of the story.

4. Things I liked or disliked about the book

4.1 Liked

The detailed depictions of Ethiopia and its medical landscape captured my attention. These vivid descriptions truly enlivened the story. The complexity of the characters, particularly the bond between the twins Marion and Shiva, was captivating. Merging history, medical expertise, and deep-seated emotions, the book was an enthralling read.

4.2 Disliked

In my opinoin, the novel to be slow at times. I think that the focus on some minute details detracted from the central plot. Also, certain storylines could have been explored more deeply. In truth, the medical jargon and descriptions at times were a little overwhelming.

4.3 Overall

I believe “Cutting for Stone” is a skillfully crafted novel. It delves into a captivating family saga, touching upon political changes, medical ethics, and the rich culture of Ethiopia. While it might not suit everyone’s taste, readers who appreciate well-developed characters and thought-provoking themes will likely find it a fulfilling and memorable read. Personally, it left a strong impression on me.

5. Stars or less rating

I give “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese

Four stars * * * *