A medical setting mixed with family dynamics, love, betrayal and heartache… count me in! Cutting For Stone is set in the heart of Ethiopia during the late 50’s. The story follows the hospital staff of a poorly funded medical compound deep within Ethiopia. The star surgeons and nursing staff all hail from India and the EU. Twins, Shiva and Marion, were born in the hospital to an unwed Indian nun (and nurse) and a phenomenal British surgeon. However, the twins lost both of their parents before they opened their eyes for the first time.

Shiva and Marion were unofficially adopted by the doctor who saved them and raised in the medical complex. Both boys were destined to carry on the family trade of medicine, although in starkly different ways.

The story is told from the perspective of Marion, the first-born twin. Marion is a down-to-earth, hardworking boy, who grows into a respectable and successful man. He tells us the story of his childhood, his relationship with Shiva, and the betrayal that tore them apart. Marion was the right character to narrate. His perspective of the events that unfolded through his life were the most well-rounded and impactful.

Abraham Verghese certainly threw in a good mixture of medical procedures, surgical jargon and hospital policies. If that is not your thing, be prepared to skim through a few sections. There are also some grotesque cases and procedures that are hard to stomach. It does bring to light some of the women’s health concerns deriving from Africa, but in a very gruesome way in some instances.

The one critique I have on the novel is the heavy focus on medical procedures takes away a bit from the characterization of some of the supporting characters – such as Genet. Genet had such a large impact on the life of the boys; however, I don’t feel as though we really got to know her as well as we did Marion and Shiva. I would have loved to hear more about her train of thought and emotional state that led up to some of her decisions. But we see her go from innocent child/play mate to hormonal, angry rebel in the blink of an eye.

The growth and character development of Marion and Shiva were right on point, though. Both boys were depicted beautifully, both their strengths and weaknesses. I did like that the author didn’t shy away from giving the protagonists their fair share of personality weaknesses. While some of those flaws led to heartbreaking endings, it made for an emotionally strong novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed Cutting For Stone. I personally love the medical focus, so that was not a deterrent for me. The ending was disappointing (meaning not what I was hoping for the family), but it certainly closes things out and makes for a solid finish. Though bring your tissues!