For Fiction Lovers

I really liked this book. It may be my favorite of 2009. However, I found that Barnes and Noble did not even carry a copy. My public library did. It will be out in paperback in January.

I do not have a medical background but I found the characters in this story to be so likable that I didn't mind their detailed life of medicine and admired their passion for healing. It all fit with the title 'cutting for stone' when you learn where the quotation comes from. The ending reduced me to tears probably because I did not want this fabulous story to end.

Like another book that I loved, City of Thieves, it probably won't receive a lot of press other than word of mouth. Read them both and enjoy, even learn as you grimace at the pain that the characters feel. I like to read books that make me feel and think.

New at Fiction- Lovers board altho I've "lurked" for a long time, Jane

Hi Jane!

It made me so happy just now to read your VERY positive opinion of Cutting for Stone!  I bought it when it first came out and just haven't gotten to it yet (partly because of its hugeness and I tend to be a slow reader).  I loaned it to a friend and she didn't like it at all which really bummed me out and definitely deterred me from picking it up.  (My friend can be somewhat impatient and needs to be grabbed quickly or she'll lose interest, and I suspect those things played into her criticism of it.)  I'm a medical transcriptionist and my son and his wife are doctors so I'm fairly sure I'll like the medical terms and story line, and I know I'll love the emotions of it.  I also bought the PB of City of Thieves and I'm looking forward to it.  I've heard lots of raves on it!

So glad you came out of lurkdom!  Stick around!

MARY

Jane,

Welcome to the board. I'm sure that your TBR list is growing by leaps and bounds. I know that mine did when I found this board. I'm surprised that B&N didn't carry it. Chapters carried lots of them because it was chosen as a favorite by the CEO who makes a book recommendation about every 6 weeks or so. Cutting For Stone will make my list of favorites for the year but I'm still feeling that The Book of Negroes (Someone Knows My Name- USA title) will be my #1 read of the year. I had trouble putting it down. I'll have to bump up City of Thieves on my TBR stack. I've had it for a while but I haven't read it yet.

Kathie

Kathie and Jane,

Thanks very much for your reviews here. I've been looking forward to reading this book. My library has a copy and I even borrowed it this summer- but didn't get around to reading it. I read Verghese's quite amazing autobiography -- he was an early doctor of AIDS patients in rural Tennessee. It was heart-breaking and very, very good.   But can I remember the title? Of course not!

Julia

P.S. Welcome Jane!

Welcome Jane! I'm glad you decided to post. You've just tilted the scales that have me really anxious to get a hold of Cutting for Stone. I've had it on my WL since April, but I'm not getting any closer to getting it than I was in April. It's going to have to be my next purchase!

I'm looking forward to seeing more of you!