Cutting for Stone: A Journey of Healing and Reconciliation through the Lens of Medicine and Family

Synopsis

Cutting for Stone, a masterpiece of literary fiction by physician and author Abraham Verghese, is an epic tale that delves into the complexities of family, identity, and the transformative power of medicine. The novel spans decades and continents, following the interconnected lives of two sets of twins born in an Ethiopian mission hospital.

Cutting for Stone

by Abraham Verghese

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3612 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Print length	:	690 pages

FREE

Marion and Shiva Stone are orphaned at a young age when their mother, an American doctor, succumbs to cholera. Raised by their unconventional grandmother and an enigmatic Indian surgeon named Hema, they grow up with an unbreakable bond and a deep love for medicine. However, their idyllic childhood is shattered when Marion is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

The novel then follows the brothers as they navigate the intricate world of medicine, grappling with loss, ambition, and the search for their own identities. Shiva, driven by a thirst for knowledge, becomes a brilliant surgeon, while Marion's passion for art leads her on a different path.

Cutting for Stone is not merely a medical novel but a profound exploration of human relationships, the complexities of family dynamics, and the search for meaning in the face of adversity. Verghese's lyrical prose transports readers to the vibrant world of Ethiopia and the hustle and bustle of a modern-day American hospital.

Characters

• Marion Stone: A gifted artist with a beautiful singing voice, Marion is the epitome of resilience and creativity.
• Shiva Stone: A brilliant surgeon, Shiva is driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to heal others.
• Hema: The unconventional grandmother who raises Marion and Shiva, Hema is a sharp-witted and enigmatic woman with a deep understanding of human nature.
• Dr. Thomas Stone: Marion and Shiva's father, a renowned surgeon whose life is marred by tragedy.
• Sister Mary Joseph Praise: The missionary doctor who oversees the mission hospital where Marion and Shiva are born, Sister Mary Joseph is a compassionate and selfless woman.

Themes

Cutting for Stone explores a wide range of themes, including:

• Family and Identity: The novel delves into the complexities of family dynamics, the search for identity, and the enduring bonds that connect us.
• Medicine and Healing: The novel explores the transformative power of medicine and the challenges faced by medical professionals in a world often marked by suffering and loss.
• Resilience and Redemption:Cutting for Stone is a story of resilience and redemption, as characters navigate adversity and find hope and meaning in the most unexpected of places.
• Loss and Grief: The novel deals with the profound impact of loss and grief, and the ways in which we find ways to cope and heal.
• Culture and Tradition: Verghese's novel offers a rich exploration of Ethiopian and Indian cultures and traditions, and the ways in which they shape the lives of the characters.

Critical Reception

Cutting for Stone has received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising Verghese's lyrical prose, compelling characters, and insightful exploration of human themes. The novel has been named to multiple "best of" lists and has been translated into over 25 languages.

In a review for The New York Times, Michiko Kakutani wrote, "Dr. Verghese has given us a novel that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, a story that will stay with us long after we have finished reading it."

Entertainment Weekly gave the novel an A+ rating, stating, "Verghese's prose is a pleasure to read, and his characters are so well-drawn and sympathetic that you'll feel like you've known them forever."

Author

Abraham Verghese is a physician and author best known for his lyrical novels that explore the intersection of medicine, family, and culture. Born in Ethiopia to Indian parents, Verghese immigrated to the United States as a child. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Stanford University School of Medicine.

In addition to Cutting for Stone, Verghese has written several other acclaimed novels, including My Own Country (1994),The Tennis Partner (2004),and Lolita in Tehran (2018). He has also written nonfiction works, such as The Elephant Chaser's Daughter (2017),a memoir about his medical practice in rural Tennessee.

Verghese's work has been praised for its insights into human nature, its exploration of cross-cultural themes, and its lyrical prose. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award.

Cutting for Stone is a powerful and moving novel that explores the enduring bonds of family, the transformative power of medicine, and the search for meaning in the face of adversity. Abraham Verghese's lyrical prose and compelling characters create a story that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it.

Cutting for Stone

by Abraham Verghese

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3612 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Print length	:	690 pages

FREE