Abraham Verghese’s “Cutting for Stone” is an emotional glimpse into racially-charged Ethiopia, following the life of Marion Stone and his twin brother, Shiva. Their Indian mother dies at birth, and their father, a white Western surgeon, abandons the twins and flees the country. Left on their own, the boys are adopted by two doctors who work at the hospital where they are born. Growing up in Ethiopia, Marion’s identity is often a point of conflict, as he is not a true African. Haunted by his father’s disappearance, Marion grows up to become a surgeon himself. The novel examines family tensions as well, as Marion and Shiva are complete opposites of one another, and their relationship endures great conflict.
As a novelist and a surgeon himself, Verghese’s prose calls heavily upon the senses. Vacillating between cold anatomical descriptions and sensual, heavily worded ones, Verghese juxtaposes the scientific facts of life with the complex and deeply emotional trials his characters endure. His surgical descriptions are vivid, chilling, and a bit grotesque, while his images of Ethiopia are filled with smells, sights, and textures.
“I will not cut for stone,” runs the text of the Hippocratic oath, “even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.” This line is featured in the novel and hints at Verghese’s reasoning for the book’s title. The complexities of separating the cold and scientific aspects of human life from the emotional haunt the characters in the novel, most of whom are doctors themselves.
The novel is an enjoyable read and its face-paced storyline is captivating. The novel paints a picture of the Ethiopian world that represents conflict and gender and racial issues, specifically in the case of Genet, Marion’s first love. Following Marion to the United States, Verghese depicts the inequality that exists between races and cultures, specifically in the medical world.
“Cutting For Stone” is dramatic and entertaining, though at times may seem a bit too melodramatic and overdone. The end of the novel, without giving too much away, contains a dramatic plot twist that seems to emphasize the interconnectedness of family and brotherhood. In a unique position as both surgeon and writer, Verghese calls upon his anatomical knowledge to paint a picture of human life that is difficult to separate from the emotions that plague his characters. This novel is a captivating coming of age story and provides a unique glimpse into Ethiopian life.