I KNOW this is supposed to be one of THE books you MUST read - but I just couldn't get past the 2nd chapter! ( )

I will try to find the words to fully capture the love that I have for "Cutting for Stone." I have kept Verghese on my list of clinical superheroes ever since I read his memoir, "In My Own Country;" however, I had been hesitant to read "Cutting for Stone" because, in my experience, physician penned memoirs lead only to disappointment. Verghese; however, is as much a master writer as he is a master clinician. Although "Cutting for Stone" is a medical story (highlights include attribution to his characters the first living donor liver transplant, the discovery of caffeine for apnea of prematurity and others), it is not foremost a story about medicine. Instead it is an semi-coming of age epic about how people form connections to each other, push others away in the pursuit of perfection and ultimately about self-actualization through realization of human bond.

Despite such lofty ambitions, Verghese never lets idealism or heavy-handedness overpower the fact that "Cutting for Stone" is indeed a novel. His characters shine - each individuals, each with amazing strengths - the cunning Ghosh, the brilliant, fierce Hema, the sharp, quick-witted Genet and the genius but alien Shiva and the loyal, logical Marion - his language is evocative and beautiful and his settings are picture-perfectly described.

A review of "Cutting for Stone" would be incomplete without at least a glancing mention of it's treatment of medical education. What struck me the most was Verghese's characterization of the martyrdom that residency entails as being a defense mechanism. His depiction of the selflessness with which residents treat patients as being a form of indulgence was a little uncomfortably honest. That being said, what "Cutting for Stone" will be exalted for in years to come is the decency with which it treats international medicine graduates. The treatment of such graduates by American medical students is borderline racist, with training programs being judged harshly on the number of such trainees enrolled. It is common for IMGs to be treated with disdain, and Verghese's candor in describing the differences that they experience when they train compared to the training environment faced by American graduates will not soon be forgotten. ( )

This book came to me after my daughter and husband both read it. In spite of binding failure that meant several signatures fell free and kept me checking page numbers, I moved past the bother of organizing chapters with little difficulty as the narrative kept unfolding. Closer to a 4.5 with the distinctive characters and flowing prose Verghese serves up with flair. Satisfying and worthwhile holiday read. ( )

I wonderful family saga which encompasses the history of Ethiopia in the mid 1900s. A nun has conjoined twins and dies in childbirth. The father just leaves but the twins, Shiva and Marion, are raised by Hema and Ghosh. Hema and Ghosh work at Mission hospital. Marion is the narrator of the book and he loves the girl he was raised with who was the daughter of one of their servants. A lot of events transpire—Marion ends up in NYC at the equivalent of a Mission hospital and ends up meeting his father. If you like family sagas that span many years, this book is worth a read. ( )

In my opinion the narrator of Cutting For Stone, Dr. Marion Stone, was a bit too self righteous and judgemental. Not to mention way too naive about women and love for my taste. However the story he told was filled with enlighting and informative descriptions of the history and culture of Ethiopia which I found truly fascinating. But it was the brilliantly vivid and incredibly detailed descriptions of operation room techniques that set this novel apart from any other piece of fiction I've ever read. At times it almost felt like I was a part of the surgeries, peering over the Doctors shoulders,able to actually witness the miracles they were accomplishing. Fascinating stuff ! ( )