Book Summary and Reviews of My Own Country by Abraham Verghese

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Homraj Khadka

My Own Country
"My Own Country" by Abraham Verghese is a poignant and powerful memoir that explores the author's relationship with his father, who was a urologist and a complex and enigmatic figure in his life.

Verghese, who is also a physician and a writer, tells the story of his father's life and career, as well as his own experiences growing up in Ethiopia and India, and later immigrating to the United States. The book is a moving and deeply personal exploration of family, identity, and the complexities of modern medicine.

One of the strengths of the book is Verghese's ability to evoke a sense of place and culture, whether he is describing the vibrant streets of Addis Ababa or the bustling hospitals of New York City. His writing is vivid and evocative, and he brings a keen eye for detail to every scene.

Another strength of the book is the way Verghese weaves together his personal story with larger themes about medicine, ethics, and the human condition. He is a thoughtful and compassionate writer, and he brings a sense of humanity and empathy to even the most difficult and complex topics.

Overall, "My Own Country" is a beautifully written and deeply moving memoir that will resonate with anyone who has grappled with questions of family, identity, and what it means to be human.

Doraflora

A inspiring but extremely poorly written autobiography
My book club opted to read this true account of a doctor coping with AIDS victims in the early years of its detection. I found the doctor's style stultifying, monotonous and difficult to cope with. I am a prolific reader but this book stymied me. The style was onerous, burdensome, boring, filled with tedious descriptions and lacking much action or conversation among the participants.
Dr. Veerghese has a way with words, mostly vivid descriptions of his surroundings, but making passage through the text, an ordeal.
I struggled valiantly to endure, put the book down and then tried again several times to struggle through it, finally giving up. In total frustration.
The subject matter and his experiences could have been riveting. Instead it was impossible to complete. Much more vigorous editing, much less description of inoccuous surroundings,etc. and much more drama is required, in my humble opinion.

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