If you want to visit an exotic land and be swept up in a world of love, faith, family, power and medicine, let me make a recommendation: Pick up a copy of Abraham Varghese's first novel, Cutting for Stone.
I rarely read fiction. And if I do, it's usually a short and easy-reading book. I simply don't have the awake time or physical energy (especially given the stack of books and manuscripts waiting for my review, as well as all the non-fiction books I read in preparation for writing my column and books).
But I am always hungry for insights about healing, even if I get them from a novel. So I'm glad I made an exception.
Cutting for Stone is a masterfully crafted novel that pulled me in and didn't let go until I reached the last page. Periodically I found myself re-reading a sentence or two, just to experience the pleasure of reading particularly pretty prose again.
I consider a book good if I find myself still thinking about the book's characters when I'm not reading, and if I'm rethinking some old ideas in new ways. Varghese's book is very, very good.
My only caveat: Cutting for Stone is a long book (534 pages), and when you get to the end you are going to wish it was longer.
A friend bought it for me months ago after you and another friend recommended it. It sits at the top of the pile at the bottom of my bed. It's so big it's daunting! And I'm afraid that if I read it in bed it will fall on my face. (KInda joking there.) Now that it's come to my attention, maybe I'll actually pick it up, especially since you recommend it so strongly. Will keep you posted.
Posted by: Ronni Gordon | July 30, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Enjoy! Let me know what you think.
Posted by: Wendy S. Harpham, MD | July 30, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Couldn't agree more; wonderful book. I'm reading it now; about a third of the way through. I find its accuracy regarding medical details stunning but then again, it is written by a doc.
Great read.
Posted by: kate | June 13, 2010 at 10:37 PM
I have always enjoyed having my history and study of other cultures and times wrapped up in a well-crafted story. Cutting for Stone was part of my stack of winter reading this year. It is elegantly written and I am learning so much about the culture, the people, the history of Ethiopia (also known as Abbysinia). This is really a wonderful book, elegantly written.
In a land of impoverished people, I particularly was struck by the ingenuity with which the doctors and nurses approached medical problems with whatever they had on hand. I agree. Great read.
Posted by: Jeanne M. Hannah | March 08, 2012 at 07:10 AM