When Mira Nair interviews Dr. Abraham Verghese, it’s bound to be a bonanza for listeners, but it’s even more insightful when Verghese turns around and interviews Nair back!
The two celebrities, who had collaborated almost 15 years ago on ‘In My Own Country’ – Nair’s film adaptation of Verghese’s autobiographical first book, now sat across from each other at Asia Society at the launch of his novel, ‘Cutting for Stone.’
After discussing writing and medicine, they turned to a topic which intrigues all immigrants – where is home? Asked about this by Nair, Verghese who had to leave his birthplace of Ethiopia after a military coup, talked about learning that he had to leave his home. He said, “It meant that I didn’t belong even though I thought I did. There was a huge moment of disconnection with the place that I did love. After that you’re attached to places, but it’s not home, it’s not where your mother and your mother’s mother and everyone comes from. I feel that loss.”
Then he turned around and asked Nair where home was for her. The consummate Delhite, who had not left India till she was 19 to study in the US, explained how her husband Mahmud Mamdani had a similar story of exile from Africa like Verghese, and was able to return to Uganda only after Idi Amin’s fall.
Nair says she became a part of his hometown by turning to gardening. “That makes a big difference – when you plant, literally, physically put things into the soil – of course, soil that you must love. I have an 18 or 19 year old garden, where I have planted absolutely every sapling, which now has majestic trees.” Moving between India, America and Africa, she says, “There is now a real feeling of home, I must say, in all three places. I don’t think I could do without one of them.”
2 Comments
Dear Dr. Verghese,
Thank you for writing such engaging stories. My late husband was a medical student when we married in 1955. He used to practice palpating my liver — and Lord knows what else! A neurologist for University of Kentucky Chandler College of Medicine, he treated many patients from Appalachia—-and made friends with them as part of the treatment.
Your stories in “My Own Country’ made his comments about those friends live again.
I’ve just finished reading “Cutting for Stone”. You gave me friends I hated to leave when I closed the book.Now to read the rest! Thank you.
With affection for my new friends and their portrayer,
Sheila Jameson
Dear Dr. Verghese,
I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoyed your book, “Cutting for Stone.” I read the book at the recommendation of my sister who also enjoyed your book immensely. We were amazed at how real the characters were and how we could feel their emotions, especially that of Shiva and Marion. As we are identical twins (girls), we were amazed at how accurately you depicted a connection between twins. Just like the ShivaMarion of your book, we grew up as the BindhuBeena of our family and our community. Moreover, she is a surgical resident too.
We were also fascinated at all of your references to historical figures, geographical locations, etc. We are from Kerala, so that in itself made the mere mention of it delightful. Even your quick reference to St. Thomas coming to Kerala is something that popped out at us since we learned that in Sunday School, growing up!
I want to thank you for a truly memorable book. The characters and the stories will forever create a lasting impression on me. I look forward to reading your other books.
With admiration and respect,
Beena (and Bindhu)