AbeBooks Review: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Abraham Verghese's Cutting for Stone was published in 2009, and while Verghese had published two non-fiction books previously, this was his first novel. Verghese's original background is in medicine, and that shows clearly throughout the book.

The story is set in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, and begins in 1954 with the birth of identical twin brothers Marion and Shiva. Conjoined in the womb, the two are born to the unlikely parents of an Indian nun and a European doctor. Their mother dies in childbirth, and their father, in horrified disbelief, disappears.

The story follows the lives of Shiva and Marion and effectively demonstrates the strength of the bond between twins through their childhood and into adolescence, when things begin to become tumultuous with the discovery of sex, and their bond is tested.

By the time the twins are in their late teens, Ethiopia is in a period of massive civil unrest, and through a series of misunderstandings and dangerous situations, Marion is forced to leave Ethiopia and his twin brother.

Throughout the story, the reader enjoys rich details of Ethiopia, from its geography and scenery, its culture and its people, its food and its music. As well, the scenes with medical surgeries are especially fascinating, as Verghese's background enables authentic details.

At over 600 pages in paperback, the book is long, and at times could have benefited from a stricter editor. But it's engaging and touching and an excellent read, and I genuinely cared about the characters. This is an excellent first novel. I would recommend it to any fiction fans who enjoy reading about other cultures, or with an interest in medicine and surgery.

Find copies at AbeBooks: http://bit.ly/p9bMeV