This is an epic novel. From the mystery of his birth until recovery after a life-saving operation, we learn of Marion and his life both as a child in Ethiopia and as a medical intern then surgeon in a New York City hospital.
Marion and his twin grow up under strange circumstances in a clinic-hospital. Their mother, a nun and a nurse at said hospital dies in child birth while unknown to their biological father, a surgeon at the same hospital, is forced into delivering them. This begins the mystery at the core of this story as it unfolds in both tragic and joyful ways.
This is a long book and it took me awhile to warm up to it. However, the writing was good and kept me doing while my interest in the characters and events kindled. Along with the interesting setting and history, the medical scenes are spot on; the author is a doctor himself and knows how to describe all things medical from study to diagnosis to treatment to cure to recovery.
There are many interesting and thought provoking scenes and it is easy to understand why this is getting such rave reviews.
And it ties into the previous Around the World in 8 Books post adding yet another country.
TIGER Link; PS3622.E744 C87 2009
Comments