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Cover of Cutting for Stone
Literary Fiction· Ethiopia

Cutting for Stone

by Abraham Verghese
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
#101,940of 99,626 books
Published 2009English
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About This Book

When Abraham Verghese published Cutting for Stone in 2009, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of literary fiction. Cutting for Stone is a sweeping, emotionally engaging novel that follows the lives of twin brothers born to an Indian nun and a British surgeon in Ethiopia. The story intricately weaves themes of family, love, and medicine against the backdrop of political upheaval in Ethiopia. Verghese's novel is celebrated for its rich storytelling, vivid characters, and its exploration of the complexities of identity and belonging. Themes of family, identity, medicine run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorAbraham Verghese
Published2009
Country of Origin🇪🇹 Ethiopia
LanguageEnglish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780375714368
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇪🇹 Ethiopia

This book is part of Ethiopia's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Ethiopia →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 2009, Abraham Verghese's Cutting for Stone is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with family, identity, medicine, political upheaval gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of Cutting for Stone lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of family, identity, medicine, political upheaval is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within Ethiopia's literary landscape, Abraham Verghese occupies a significant position. Cutting for Stone is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

NYT Best Sellers
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20090
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About the Author
Abraham Verghese
Ethiopia
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Abraham Verghese is a Ethiopia author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cutting for Stone about?

Cutting for Stone is a sweeping, emotionally engaging novel that follows the lives of twin brothers born to an Indian nun and a British surgeon in Ethiopia. The story intricately weaves themes of family, love, and medicine against the backdrop of political upheaval in Ethiopia. Verghese's novel is celebrated for its rich storytelling, vivid characters, and its exploration of the complexities of identity and belonging.

Who wrote Cutting for Stone?

Cutting for Stone was written by Abraham Verghese, from Ethiopia. First published in 2009.

What awards has Cutting for Stone won?

Cutting for Stone has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is Cutting for Stone worth reading?

Cutting for Stone is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in family, identity, medicine.

Where can I buy Cutting for Stone?

You can buy Cutting for Stone on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Cutting for Stone?

Cutting for Stone is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Cutting for Stone from?

Cutting for Stone originates from Ethiopia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Ethiopia on our country page.

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