Cutting for Stone

Cutting for Stone cover

Cutting for Stone is a novel by Abraham Verghese that spans across continents and generations, deeply immersing readers in a richly woven tapestry of themes such as medicine, family, exile, and love. Published in 2009, the book has garnered critical acclaim for its intricate storytelling and profound emotional depth.

Plot Summary

Cutting for Stone follows the lives of Marion and Shiva Stone, twin brothers born under unusual circumstances in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Their mother, Sister Mary Joseph Praise, a nun and nurse from India, dies during childbirth, and their father, Thomas Stone, a British surgeon, abandons them. The twins are raised by two other doctors at Missing Hospital, Hema and Ghosh, who adopt them. The story traces the brothers' journey from Ethiopia to America, exploring their shared passion for medicine against the backdrop of political turmoil in Ethiopia.

Themes

The novel explores several themes, including the complexities of family relationships, the nature of identity, and the role of medicine in society. The title itself, Cutting for Stone, is a play on words, referring both to the profession of surgery and to the biblical phrase "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone," highlighting the moral dilemmas faced by the characters.

Characters

• Marion Stone: One of the twin brothers and the novel's narrator. He becomes a surgeon and grapples with his identity and his relationship with his brother and parents.
• Shiva Stone: Marion's twin brother, who also pursues a career in medicine, specializing in gynecology. His path diverges from Marion's in significant ways.
• Sister Mary Joseph Praise: The twins' mother, whose death during childbirth sets the story in motion.
• Thomas Stone: The twins' father, a brilliant but troubled surgeon, whose abandonment has a lasting impact on his sons.
• Hema: A gynecologist at Missing Hospital who adopts the twins. She is a strong and compassionate figure in their lives.
• Ghosh: Hema's husband and a surgeon at Missing Hospital, who becomes a father figure to the twins.

Reception

Cutting for Stone has been praised for its vivid storytelling, complex characters, and the way it seamlessly blends elements of historical fiction with medical drama. Critics have lauded Verghese for his ability to craft a narrative that is both epic in scope and deeply personal.

Legacy

The novel has left a significant mark on contemporary literature, particularly in the genre of medical fiction. It has been used in medical humanities courses to explore the human side of medicine and the ethical dilemmas faced by healthcare professionals.