Play Book Tag discussion

Cutting for Stone is the story of twin boys, Marion and Shiva Stone, born joined at the head in a mission hospital in Addis Ababa over fifty years ago. Their mother, an Indian nun, had kept her pregnancy secret and died during the births. Their father, a surgeon named Thomas Stone, abandons them at birth. The boys are adopted by two doctors, their new mother, the obstetrician who delivered them, and their father, a general practitioner who becomes a surgeon after their father, the only surgeon, immediately runs off.

The book is narrated by Marion, and describes growing up in the Ethiopia of the Emperor Haile Selassie. This is not a feel good book. Each of the characters are touched by multiple tragedies. I was heartbroken to read about the living conditions in Ethiopia. The author is a doctor himself, and there are some fairly long passages describing female genital mutilation, as well as some fairly detailed and gruesome surgeries.

I have not been able to stop thinking about this book. Although breathtakingly sad in some places, there is an underlying story of love and devotion. I'll admit to skimming through many of the medical procedure sections. As long as I knew what the disease was I didn't need to know that much about the surgery. I don't think everyone will love this book but I believe it is one of the most powerful books that I have ever read.

Oh, this book! It still brings back the heartbreak and love, just remembering it. So good.

This book was unforgettable! Probably one of the first I read when I really fell in love with reading. Or maybe it was when I first began reviewing books.

This is one of my very favorite books ever, but like so many of my favorite books, I find that there are some that feel the opposite. So Olivermagnus, I'm so glad that you are another one on the love side.

I loved it too. It was a favorite for that year and continues to be memorable. I recommend it often to others.

Add me to the fan club for this book. I'm still recommending it to people.

Add me too!

I loved this one too.

One of my all time favorite books.