Probably one of the finest novels I have read for years. A family constituted by fate (two doctors and an ‘orphan’ twin) and sense of duty develops into a true family of love, fondness and a very strong bond up to the last breath. A moving story of an non-envisaged relationship in a mission hospital in Ethiopia enduring the hardship of the ruthless Mengistu regime with all the suffering it brought to the Mission hospital’s patients and this very intelligent people all committed to their medical profession, but showing their thoughts, professional passion and caring for each other. A true ‘Must Read’.I read this while I was in Senegal, but it took me back to the time I worked in the Sudan in the 1980's when Numeiri reigned over the Sudan using the Sharia pretence to commit atrocities to many people. The continent of hardship, but leaving an ineradicable impression of the kindness and warm-heartedness of many on all who have lived there. I found this back in this magnificent novel. Twins Marion & Shiva, born to a nun & a surgeon in Addis Ababa. She died in the birth & he left them to be raised by the nuns. They both grow up to be doctors. Great writing, wonderful characters, a truly memorable story.fav quotes: "I marveled at his gift for distancing himself from what was going on by dancing, or by drawing the motorcycle, or playing with prime numbers. He had so many ways of climbing into the tree house in his head, escaping the madness below & pulling the ladder up behind him; I was envious.""At some point he became one with the dark shadows, his voice filling my space as if no other words had ever been spoken there.""...& they understood all too well these kinds of reunions, these moments when a piece of your old house comes floating by in the river."
What do You think about Cutting For Stone (2009)?
It took me a while to get through this book - I read others along the way - but I'm glad I stuck with it. The setting is Ethiopia, and the main characters are a sprinkling of many nationalities. This novel came highly recommended, and I'm glad it did. I doubt I would have read it otherwise. The relationships are complicated, and I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author explored the many facets of these. It may have helped if I knew something of the history in that part of the world, but my lack of knowledge really didn't affect my enjoyment of the novel.
—Ashley
I didn't know a lot about Ethiopia before reading this book. The family drama opens just after the Second World War and spans five decades and two generations. It takes place largely in a mission hospital where people of different faiths work cooperatively to serve the people. Political drama often impacts the community. At times the excessive details made the book a chore to read yet at other times I couldn't put it down.
—Tamara
