You have to enjoy this type of novel to make it through the 600+ pages — a multi-generational epic made up of what are somewhat independent stories about more than a dozen characters, interconnected to form a tapestry. Verghese’s prose is a joy to read, and I found myself rooting for the complex, fully-formed characters he has created. The book tells the story not just of their lives, but of the history of southern India and the development of modern medicine during the 20th century.