Book: Cutting for Stone

Author: Abraham Verghese

Reviewer: Dargan Williams, Friends of the Library Board of Directors

My favorite is Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese.  (I’ve read Verghese’s previous books and enjoyed them).  This is certainly his best to date.  The novel takes place primarily in Ethiopia from the 1950′s -1970′s — a time of great turmoil for that country.  It centers on twin boys, conjoined at birth and successfully separated, who’s mother died at their birth and father is unknown.  The boys grow up to become doctors, while struggling with love, identity, values. The book makes me eager to visit Ethiopia, and it makes me even more aware as I watch my son as he trains to be a surgeon (like 2 of the main characters in this book).

A great read for anyone!