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A review by jenbsbooks
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
5.0
I don't know that I LOVED this, but it checks off enough boxes that I feel like it earned a 5* rating. I had this in all three formats, and went primarily with the audiobook. I had quite a few quotes/notes and although discussion questions weren't included with the book, I was able to find some online (https://www.readinggroupguides.com/reviews/cutting-for-stone/guide). Lots of things to think about. Is it okay to hide a diagnosis? How strong is psychosomatic suggestion? A one-year (renewable) marriage contract?
Most of the book is told in 1st person by Marion, although the first half feels more 3rd person. The book is presented as Marion telling the story, writing it down and the first several chapters detail his birth (and before), focusing on Sister Mary and Thomas Stone. I was a bit confused at chapter 5 when the scene shifted to onboard an airplane, to another character Hema ... but those chapters soon crossed. There were four PARTS, and Marion's real 1st person story begins in part 3/chapter 17. The chapters ran chronologically (55 chapters) and I liked that there were chapter headings ... as I finished the book, I read over the headings and could remember what happened, little memory nudges.
Set in Ethiopia for much of the story, it was interesting to learn a little about the country and history. Huge focus on medicine/surgery as well. Interesting and informative.
There were some twist and turns I wasn't expecting. I did get involved emotionally.
There was some proFanity (x6) and some sex (one scene I found distasteful).
Words I note: hedgerows, ululations, preternatural, snuck, apogee, dais, cacophonous, perchance, pellucid, swath
I noted mention of the Baobab (ever since I read [book:Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree|36099188] that stands out to me), CookCountyHospital - can't remember why that stuck in my memory. A mention of SLC, Utah. I liked the alliteration of "a cascade of catastrophes".
Ironically, the yellow cover (with silhouette of two boys and a dog) is the same image as on one of the covers of Wrapped in Rain, which I just read! When I came here to update, the image was just so familiar to me, and sure enough - exactly the same! My physical book has the green/red umbrella image ... which just doesn't do anything for me (I don't care for it, but also feel like the yellow cover doesn't really represent the story). The title tie-in ... there could be discussion there. I liked it.
Most of the book is told in 1st person by Marion, although the first half feels more 3rd person. The book is presented as Marion telling the story, writing it down and the first several chapters detail his birth (and before), focusing on Sister Mary and Thomas Stone. I was a bit confused at chapter 5 when the scene shifted to onboard an airplane, to another character Hema ... but those chapters soon crossed. There were four PARTS, and Marion's real 1st person story begins in part 3/chapter 17. The chapters ran chronologically (55 chapters) and I liked that there were chapter headings ... as I finished the book, I read over the headings and could remember what happened, little memory nudges.
Set in Ethiopia for much of the story, it was interesting to learn a little about the country and history. Huge focus on medicine/surgery as well. Interesting and informative.
There were some twist and turns I wasn't expecting. I did get involved emotionally.
There was some proFanity (x6) and some sex (one scene I found distasteful).
Words I note: hedgerows, ululations, preternatural, snuck, apogee, dais, cacophonous, perchance, pellucid, swath
I noted mention of the Baobab (ever since I read [book:Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree|36099188] that stands out to me), CookCountyHospital - can't remember why that stuck in my memory. A mention of SLC, Utah. I liked the alliteration of "a cascade of catastrophes".
Ironically, the yellow cover (with silhouette of two boys and a dog) is the same image as on one of the covers of Wrapped in Rain, which I just read! When I came here to update, the image was just so familiar to me, and sure enough - exactly the same! My physical book has the green/red umbrella image ... which just doesn't do anything for me (I don't care for it, but also feel like the yellow cover doesn't really represent the story). The title tie-in ... there could be discussion there. I liked it.