'Cutting for Stone' by Abraham Verghese - Book Club Discussion Questions

Cutting for Stone is Abraham Verghese's debut novel about two boys growing up in a mission hospital in Ethiopia. Use these book club discussion questions on Cutting for Stone to lead your reading group into the novel.

Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. Finish the book before reading on.

1. What did you enjoy most about Cutting for Stone?

2. Who was your favorite character? Why?

3. What was "missing" in the main characters' lives (Thomas, Ghosh, Hema, Genet, Marion, Shiva)? What was found?

4. What was the saddest loss in this tale?

5. What did you learn about Ethiopia's history as a country that you did not know before?

6. Did you empathize with Genet's choices? Why or why not?

7. What did you think of Thomas Stone's back story? Did it help you understand his character's actions and motivations?

8. How does Marion and Shiva's characteristics and choices as twins reflect the stories' themes about division, reconciliation, and unity?

9. Were you satisfied with the conclusion? Why or why not?

10. Rate Cutting for Stone from 1 to 5.