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Thursday, November 29, 2012

The Armchair Book Review


My book club just finished reading, "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese. This book was a best-seller in 2009. It is an epic novel, very well written, with wonderful characters and Ethiopia as the backdrop. It centers around identical twin brothers Shiva and Marion. Their mother, who is a nun, dies giving birth and their father, a skilled surgeon, disappears as soon as the babies are born. The boys are raised by two loving people, and other people who are close to the family. The boys both grow up to be in the medical profession, although Shiva is not a certified doctor. The boys' biological father comes back into the picture later in life and it seems that there is a purpose for that. The author has a medical background, which is evidenced in his description of some of the medical procedures. At times, one might think it was described too well, but the majority of the book is so good, that you could easily overlook those few parts. Mr. Verghese draws pictures when he describes Ethiopia; he compliments all your senses. You can hear the raindrops hitting the tin roof, see the countryside bursting with yellow flowers, smell and taste the injera, which is a sponge-like bread used to scoop up the meal. The way this author ties up the loose ends and relates things throughout the book is totally ingenious. I am definitely going to read this book again, at a slower pace, and enjoy it all over again. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.


10 comments:

Brian Miller said...

huh pretty cool....i like the sounds of the descriptions...will check it out.....have eaten injera wat...it is def interesting to eat....

Anonymous said...

This book keeps getting buzz--must be a good one!

Unknown said...

Sounds interesting. I like a writer that draws me into his writing.

Unknown said...

I forgot to mention....you always have the perfect background....love that squirrel.

Unknown said...

I'll put this one on my list!

kisatrtle said...

On my list

Snowflake said...

It's on my request list!!! I hope you post other books you read with your new Book Club, I'm always interested in hearing about what others are reading!!

Carletta said...

I've seen this book in the discount store here for hardly nothing. Probably won't be there when I go back.
Nice review and I love the armchair image.

genie said...

I think I lost my comment so will try again. This is one of my favorite books of all times. What a fabulous author. He pulled me in in the first chapter and kept me there until the last word. I am going to have to read it again. Have it on my Kindle so that is not a problem. Your review of the book is wonderful. genie

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I love place-centered novels....I will try to find this or maybe buy it for Kindle if it's reduced. thanks for the review.