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Loved it! This book was awesome. There are stories within stories as the lives are intertwined. The story follows a surgeon, Thomas Stone, and Sister Mary Joseph Praise at a small hospital in Ethiopia. The story is told from the viewpoint of Marion, one of twin boys born to Sister Mary Joseph Praise and follows them through the discovery of their history and their developing lives as surgeons. Fascinating book and gives you a glimpse of life in Ethiopia.
As I came to the end of this book in the wee hours of the morning, I was laying quietly in bed next to my husband with tears streaming down my face. The story was moving and beautifully told and the characters were rich and unique. I loved both Marion and Shiva for their oddities and idiosyncrasies. I was touched emotionally and made to think. I have also found myself curious to read more about Ethiopia. Reading this book was a beautiful experience.
The author, a physician, is a wonderful writer. I am always in awe when people of science can also be wonderfully creative writers too.
An epic family novel set primarily in Ethiopia, spans from 1947-2004. I was immersed in the story and enjoyed the journey of Marion Stone as he grew up. I like stories with a medical aspect to it and this one had many but the focus was ultimately on the relationships.
I thought the book deserved all the accolades that it had received and I can now see why it mad ...more
An epic family novel set primarily in Ethiopia, spans from 1947-2004. I was immersed in the story and enjoyed the journey of Marion Stone as he grew up. I like stories with a medical aspect to it and this one had many but the focus was ultimately on the relationships.
I thought the book deserved all the accolades that it had received and I can now see why it mad ...more
Excellent book!!!
Among things I did not know, and learned from this great story, is that the Rastafarian faith takes its name from Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. His pre-imperial name was Ras Tafari Makonnen. He is believed by the Rastafarians to be Christ incarnate, who would lead the people of Africa to freedom.
But the book is not about Haile Selassie or Rastafarians. It is, at heart, a book about family, passions, life's mysteries and challenges, set upon the stage of mid-20th century Et ...more
Among things I did not know, and learned from this great story, is that the Rastafarian faith takes its name from Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. His pre-imperial name was Ras Tafari Makonnen. He is believed by the Rastafarians to be Christ incarnate, who would lead the people of Africa to freedom.
But the book is not about Haile Selassie or Rastafarians. It is, at heart, a book about family, passions, life's mysteries and challenges, set upon the stage of mid-20th century Et ...more
A book that pulls you into finely described human details while painting a picture of the whole environment of Ethiopian and Brooklyn. I did not want the book to end....I did not want the book to end the way it did....
Jan 20, 2017
Allison
marked it as to-read
Jun 02, 2018
Charlie Miller
marked it as to-read
