This is not my favorite book by Verghese. It showed a lot of promise in the initial pages, but some of the subplots, like the one about Digby, was too drawn out and elaborate. Although I liked the way his story connected to Mariama in the end, there was too much overwrought narration and excess in the middle of this mighty novel. I do like the way Verghese narrates stories about doctors and the medical profession and the details he shares because of his background as a physician.