Cutting for Stone

Abraham Verghese

Cutting for Stone is a captivating and lyrical novel written by Abraham Verghese. It is a story of star-crossed family, friendship, forbidden love, loyalty, identity, and secrets. Set in Ethiopia and New York, the novel is told in an episodic and vivid style through the lenses of the narrator, Marion, and his twin brother, Shiva.Marion and Shiva are born in an Ethiopian hospital when their mother, who is a nun, dies during a difficult childbirth. Their father is never revealed and this, along with the twins’ unexpected birth, sets off a chain of events that leads to a complicated life for the boys.The twins are adopted and raised in Ethiopia, where they develop an indomitable bond. Unbeknownst to them, they are born of forbidden love between their mother and their father–who is also the doctor who helped deliver them. Marion and Shiva must come to terms with their unique childhood, struggling to learn and balance their individual identities as well as clinging to their strong sense of familial duty.Cutting for Stone chronicles the struggles of Marion and Shiva in this exotic, impoverished world. Encountering the harshness and beauty of Ethiopia, Marion and Shiva’s adventures reflect their search for a sense of belonging and identity. Abraham Verghese’s stunning plot grips readers, transporting them to a different place and time as it doesn’t release its hold. Cutting for Stone is an unforgettable story and a powerful testament to the events that eventually shape us into who we are and who we become.