The minute I finished this book, I wanted to start over. Narration was excellent, story was gripping, characters so fully developed...

At the top. Really enjoyed the book and I loved the way it was read, accents and all

mostly murder mysteries. Some were not well read. I disliked the faked accents in some.

can't say. The book requires a more detailed analysis and was discussed in my book club

No comment. I really am not into this kind of discussion

I really enjoyed this book. I have a medical background so it may be a bit too much for more non medical people. The story was one of love, family, and forgiveness. Truly a very moving well written book.

Great story

Birth of twins

Gosh talk with Marion as he was dying

If I only had the time

Would recommend

For some reason I could not stop listening until I was finished with the story. Although sometimes segmented, the story is eloquently told. The medical descriptions of the trauma experienced by patients visiting the hospital and the trauma experienced by the main characters will make you cringe in discomfort; the mystical relationships of the characters in this book will make you wonder; and living the life of these two twins by paging through this book will make you appreciate life, it's hardships and it's happiness.

When you teach history by telling one man's tale over time you teach a history that people can understand. It's like staying awake on the drive from Salt Lake City to St. Louis. You now know what the midwest is inch by inch. In this way Verghese tells us what is is to be in West Africa over the years that are for the most part fallen out of history books. On the way he gives us a cast of friends. Not just friends (or enemies as the case may be) with each other in the book but friends with the reader.
I work in the field of medicine and the technical stuff is OK. So if you are a nurse like me or other helper this will be a good lesson for you.
It is rather long and fades a bit at the end, but a good read overall. I'm glad I listened. I feel better, stronger afterward.

I enjoyed this book. The story held my interest, and some of the characters, especially Ghosh, were very endearing.

I learned a lot about Ethiopia, and especially enjoyed learning small details about personal life there, such Ethiopian foods. I was craving injera and wat throughout the story. I also enjoyed learning about 1st world / 3rd world medicine and surgery.

What kicked the story up a notch for me was Sunil Malhotra's brilliant narration. Some narrators are distracting because they are so bad. Other narrators do a great job of invisibly letting the story shine through. Still other narrators, such as Sunil Malhotra, are distracting in a good way: his accents were so masterful, that I found myself wondering if he was a native Ethiopian of Indian decent, like the protagonist; or native to India, due to his subtle rendering of the many dialects of that subcontinent; or if he grew up in the USA, because his many regional American accents were SPOT ON. I'm a huge fan of Humphrey Bower, and think he is the best at rendering accents, but his American/Canadian accents all sound like John Wayne impersonations to me. I think Sunil Malhotra is even better than Bower at American accents.

*** Spoiler alert: I did, however, think the story became rather implausible at the end.

This book wins on all levels: superb writing, excellent narration, a story line and characters that shine! Bravo!

It is a story about finding, forgiving, and loving, family.

Memorable moments abound: Hema challenging the pilot, Hema referring to Ghosh as "the father," Shiva and Marion (as young boys) helping patients, the death of Ghosh, Marion's realization that Thomas Stone had just stood beside him, and so many more.

I read the book first and wanted to enjoy it again and share it with a loved one. Sunil Malhotra gave a beautiful authentic voice to the characters (I now pronounce "Shiva" correctly!), but he didn't just do the Indian characters well--I loved his American accent, too.

When Marion watches Thomas Stone lead a discussion with medical students and can barely contain his fury. At this point, he though he was over any pain caused by his missing father, but this reveals the truth and how deep and strong Marion is.

Not only is the story beautiful, I also learned more about Ethiopian history and medicine--I love when an enjoyable experience also results in an expanded world view. Additionally, considering the many meanings of "missing" in this novel is rather fun.

This book just blew me away. The reader is amazing and his voice was magical - really carried the story. The story, the writing...it just drew you in and kept you there. You really care about the characters - they are so well developed - so interesting. The story is incredible and you get such a deep appreciation for culture and context. I particularly liked the medical descriptions although others in my book club found them disturbing. The authors deep expertise in medicine - not just the technical, but the culture and approaches to thinking like a doctor (better and worse ways of doing that) were just spot-on.
The writing felt like poetry to me. I found myself book-marking so many spots just because of the writing - to go back and listen to again. If I had read the book, it would be completely underlined!

This is a wonderful gift - I only wish the author was more prolific!