Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese, was first published in 2009. It's is the story of conjoined twins, Marion and Shiva, born from a secret union between an Indian nun and a British surgeon. The death of their mother and the abandonment of their father leaves them to be raised in a missionary hospital in Ethiopia. After being surgically separated, the brothers find they are mirror images of each other. They are inseparable in their younger years but face a crossroad as they come of age.
The story line is so believable that on two separate occasions I found myself double checking the genre. Still fiction. While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I think this review should come with a warning. The book is long and there is quite a bit of medical jargon. If blood and hospitals make you squirm you might think twice about this one. Marion and Shiva's foster parents are doctors and both boys choose to continue in that profession, so understandably, there is a lot of talk about hospitals and surgeries.
I can see this being a great pick for book club and discussing with good friends.
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