This book really caught me by surprise–it had good reviews, but it just didn’t seem like my kind of book. But, I took a chance and I’m very glad I did. It takes place in Ethiopa (another first for me), and tells the story of twin boys who are almost butchered during their birth, and whose father deserts them immediately after a miraculous birth. The mother dies in the process.
They both survive, are adopted by two doctors, and grow up to be doctors themselves. But not easily. They are betrayed by friends and family. And, of course the political atmosphere of Ethiopia holds a few surprises. But, they thrive. What makes the story so interesting though, is the quality of their adoptive parents. They are just simply awe inspiring.
There is a lot of medical jargon, but it’s done in a way that is captivating. And sometimes humorous–one of the scenes during a vasectomy had me in stitches. It ends up being very heart warming, in spite of the interwoven tragedies.