You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
I found the first half of the book extremely slow and tedious. Then when Marion was a teenager the story picked up and I loved it. I cried through the ending.
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cutting for Stone is beautifully written; the author’s medical degree & expertise, as well as his knowledge of Addis Abba, India, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Boston, New York & other areas, is evident. The descriptions & vernacular draw you in as a reader, painting a picture to help understand what each character is feeling. The story is powerful, sad, but inspiring. A tale of love and loss, the importance of principles, family, connection, and passion. Difficult at times to get through, due to the emotions, which is a testament to the beauty and power of the writing and the story.
This book was number 1 on my to read list from 2011. When I started it I had no expectations for the story at all. I enjoyed this story mostly because of the family connections that were made between the twins and their adoptive parents. I also really enjoyed the faithfulness that is embedded in the daily rituals and extreme circumstances of the characters. The medical aspects of the book could get gruesome but they were easy enough to skim. I wouldn't call this a beach read but it was a nice break from the ya lit I've been immersed in.
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Suicide, Medical content, Medical trauma
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Abandonment
Minor: Child death
Audiobook
This is a family saga of two generations that is set in Ethiopia and then New York City. It was very interesting to read a book set in Ethiopia with characters from various countries all working together in a hospital. The main character is a twin, and the story is told from his perspective. His life is troubled in many ways. The ending of the book surprised me, although in hindsight it should not have been a surprise. I was caught up in the story and wasn't paying attention to the foreshadowing.
It took me a long time to discover Abraham Verghese, despite many of my reading friends recommending this book. I now look forward to reading more of his books.
This is a family saga of two generations that is set in Ethiopia and then New York City. It was very interesting to read a book set in Ethiopia with characters from various countries all working together in a hospital. The main character is a twin, and the story is told from his perspective. His life is troubled in many ways. The ending of the book surprised me, although in hindsight it should not have been a surprise. I was caught up in the story and wasn't paying attention to the foreshadowing.
It took me a long time to discover Abraham Verghese, despite many of my reading friends recommending this book. I now look forward to reading more of his books.
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes