Cutting for Stone: A Novel

by: Abraham Verghese

Published by: Knopf Publishing

Reviewed by Sara Porter

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese tells a powerful and moving story of a family of surgeons who are good at caring for other people, but can’t seem to fix their own lives.
Verghese’s novel has a very strong beginning as he deals with the forbidden love affair betweem British surgeon, Thomas Stone and nun, Sister Mary Praise. Both characters have a very loving, passionate relationship at a mission in Ethiopia that results in the birth of twins and the death of Sister Mary. A grief-stricken Stone abandons the mission and his sons to two colleagues.

The twins’ story takes them through their childhood all the way into adulthood when both seek medical careers. Marion, the narrator, recalls his relationship with his brother, Shiva, in a very deft observation like how they were known as “ShivaMarion” as children, because one was never seen without the other.

The middle part drags as it deals with real world crises in Ethiopia combined with young love between Marion, Shiva, and a young woman who is clearly not good enough for either of them (which neither realize until it’s almost too late). It picks up after Marion is forced to flee to America and reunites with his father and restore and amends his relationship with Shiva, who betrayed him as a child.

The story comes to a moving climax as Marion, Thomas, and Shiva, three very flawed and brilliant characters, come to terms with each other. Stone and his boys are arrogant, judgmental, and quick to actions that they regret later. But, they are also ultimately very dedicated to their craft of medicine and have a love for each other that finally reveals itself in the end.

Note: Verghese is known for his non-fiction work, including My Own Country, which was based on his experiences as an AIDS physician in Johnson City, Tennessee and became a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle award. His second book, The Tennis Partner, was a New York Times notable book and a national bestseller. He is board-certified in internal medicine and in pulmonary and infectious diseases.

Armchair Interviews says: Abraham Verghese created strong characters that hold your interest.

Author’s Web site: http://www.AbrahamVerghese.com