The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani

Although this book club book received many 5 star ratings on Amazon, I did not like it. The story of an Iranian rugmaker set in the 17th century is beautifully written and the setting is laid out well. As a woman, the narrator's options were severally limited. Although talented at rug weaving, she is forced into a temporary marriage contract. I loved the character and her transformation into an adult, but I did not like the overt sexuality. In fact, I got so sick of it!! Could she be ravished one more time??? I listened to the book on audio and wonder if this was the cause of my issues. While reading, you can skip or skim parts that you don't really want to read, but when it is on tape, you have to hear it!! I got sick of it.

There were some good discussion points to the book, but I can't recommend it.

The Omnivore's Dilemma

Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese

Run to the library and get this fabulous novel. A richly engaging story about two brothers in Ethiopia and their estranged surgeon father.

Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers born of a secret union between a beautiful Indian nun and a brash British surgeon at a mission in Ethiopia. Orphaned by their mother's death and their father's disappointment, they are raised by a doctor couple on the mission. This story covers a country on the brink of a revolution and the distruction there as well as the internal distruction when the boys find their passion for the same young woman drives them apart.

"An unforgettable journey into one man's remarkable life, and an epic story about the power, intimacy, and curious beauty of the work of healing others."

Verghese is a Professor of Medicine and his love of teaching and of surgery lifts from the pages. From the primitive situation in Ethiopia to the halls of a reknowned hospital in Boston, you understand the medical science.

This novel is something to bite into and savor. The characters are real to you. The adopted parents, Ghosh and Hema, their goodness, is such a beautiful part of the story. Ghosh, was so loved by me that some of his words and deeds made me cry as if he were a REAL person. I have to credit Verghese with making the characters distinct and race nuetral. The culture of the characters of the book give them extra personality with no stereotypes (well, except for the Indian doctors in the NYC teaching hospital).

Family Sagas sometimes bog down in the storytelling, but this book rises up with each turn. The character of Marion is known to the reader in his flaws and in his goodness. Shiva, is Asbergeresque (ok, I made that word up) and you see his father's genetic inside him. The relationship between the twins is ultimately the entire story. The added bonus was the beautiful setting. I had not read about the country of Ethiopia before and found its history interesting and its food exciting. I could taste the butter!!

I honestly enjoyed reading a REAL novel again instead of a fluffy story.

More to come ...

Eclipse