We met in the Neary Library because it was Thursday - and so many book club members have Adult Ed on Thursday nights. It was our last meeting with Diana. Sigh....
The meeting was small, and more than a bit subdued. We all missed Miggy so much, and prayed that her father will improve rapidly. How she coordinated our food for the meeting and a questions list while in Florida, is quite miraculous.
We discussed Shiva and Marion's relationship as twin brothers. Did Shiva have Aspergers? Perhaps. Gennet, Stone, Hema and Ghosh also were discussed. Ghosh was a lovable character. We puzzled over the true meaning of Cutting For Stone. We shared some moments about the horrors of medical care in this country. We talked about Verghese as a physician - and our bad experiences with doctors that have their hands on the doorknobs to run to see their next patients, and don't give us the attention and time we truly need. Immigration was another theme. And we agreed that "Geography is our destiny".
Hoping all can attend the next book club meeting on March 14, when Carmen Cruz will host The Memory Keeper's Daughter.
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| Maria finished the last 2 pages! |
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Dear Miggy,
ReplyDeleteWe all missed you very much at the meeting. You are too good to even think of sending food and questions for discussion under such circumstances. You’re one special person! Thank you!
About the book…I felt it was a little difficult to follow at times with all the medical jargon, but a good book nevertheless. I learned a little about Ethiopian politics and much about the importation (should we call it that?) of foreign doctors to work in less prestigious hospitals here at the US. I mostly enjoyed the selfless love and compassion shown by Hema and Ghost toward Marion and Shiva.
Looking forward to our next meeting and hoping that more of us will be there.
Maria
Hi Ladies,
ReplyDeleteFirst I would like to just comment on Miggy's attention to our book club, ensuring that we had questions and food amidst her circumstance. You truly are an amazing, selfless and giving woman.
I enjoyed the book, although at times found some parts difficult to follow primarily due to my own mental distractions. I was particularly touched by the parts of patient doctor relationships. I was reminded of an experience where I felt the doctor was insensitive to me as a person. I was moved by Ghosh and Hema's relationship. They had such love and devotion towards eachother and their childeren. This book touched on a lot of topics, immigration, racism, love and betrayal, family guilt and bonds.
The rest of our book club members were surely missed. I have already started reading the next book and look forward to our profound discussions. We are all going through situations,some good (Diana's retirement, although she will be immensely missed) and others challenging, family illnesses. But I feel that sometimes reading helps us to escape into someone elses story even if for a bit.
God bless you, take care and happy reading!
Mary
Shalom Bookworms!
ReplyDeleteWe really missed those of you who weren't at this meeting. Miggy, it broke my heart that you were not there, especially for the reason you were not there.
I did love this story, even the long medical explanations - actually, especially the long medical explanations. It validated the realness of it for me. We must remember that Verghese IS an M.D.
I was touched by so many parts of this novel, and even as I went through part of it for the second time, since I had first read it so many months ago, I found new parts that touched me. With Steve visiting so many doctors now, and in the middle of radiation treatment, certain medical parts brought me to tears -- it just felt so close.
KEEP READING!!!
XXOO
Robin