Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Publication date/ Length: 2003 / 335 pages 
Synopsis (from the jacket cover): In medical school, Paul Farmer found his life’s calling: to cure infectious diseases and to bring the lifesaving tools of modern medicine to those who need them most.
First line: “Six years after the fact, Dr. Paul Edward Farmer reminded me, ‘We met because of a beheading, of all things’.”
Review: I realize I am a few years behind with this one — I should be reviewing Kidder’s latest (and will once my number comes up at the library) — but with the recent tragedy in Haiti I was drawn to this work which escaped my radar when it was first published. Happily, my book club decided to read it, too, so I was able to discuss a work that Abraham Verghese described as “inspiring, daring, and completely absorbing.” I agreed with the first two adjectives whole-heartedly and mostly with the third, as well.
For anyone else who was in the dark when this work first appeared, Kidder tells the story of Paul Farmer, a tireless, relentless advocate who believes medical care is a birthright rather than only the privilege of the wealthy (resonating with the recent health care debate in this country). His first love is Haiti — where he realized his passion and vision — and Kidder provides a fascinating history of this country as well as rationale for why the U.S. owes so much to this beleaguered island well before the recent earthquake. Eventually, Farmer expands his mission to Peru and Russia — focusing primarily, but not exclusively, on TB and AIDS prevention and aid. My book club and I agreed that the book lost its momentum a bit in these sections, but I understand Kidder’s desire to represent as much of Farmer’s mission as possible.
I expected to feel guilty as I read this — for not doing enough to help those less fortunate than myself. This emotion was indeed present, but I was surprised to find that inspiration and humility overpowered my guilt. Farmer’s philosophy of doing the right thing always, especially in the face of futility, probably would have kept me in the realm of public education longer, had I read this when it first came out.
I dog-eared so many passages, but tried to choose the ones that had the greatest impact on me:
“…Farmer taps into a universal anxiety and also into a fundamental place in some troubled consciences, into what he calls ‘ambivalence,’ the often unacknowledged uneasiness that some of the fortunate feel about their place in the world, the thing he once told me he designed his life to avoid…’You have to believe that small gestures matter, that they do add up.”
“During one of their [Paul and Ophelia's] long talks in his room, she found herself thinking, ‘Oh dear, oh good, my life has changed.’ Years later she would tell me, ‘I think there’s a point where you realize the world has just been revealed to you. It’s like realizing your parents are both good and bad. It’s sort of, Oh no, things will never be the same again.’”
“Living in Haiti, I realized that a minor error in one setting of power and privilege could have an enormous impact on the poor in another.”
“Farmer would say, ‘Clean water and health care and school and food and tin roofs and cement floors, all of these things should constitute a set of basics that people must have as birthrights.’”
“WL’s [White Liberals] were forever saying, ‘Things aren’t that black and white.” But some things were plenty black and white, they told each other — ‘areas of moral clarity,’ which they called AMC’s. These were situations, rare in the world, where what ought to be done seemed perfectly clear. But the doing was always complicated, always difficult. “
“Farmer wasn’t put on earth to make anyone feel comfortable, except for those lucky enough to be his patients…”
I think book clubs would really enjoy this work — similar to Three Cups of Tea, but with a medical focus. I also appreciated that Kidder is “human” — he asks questions many of us would wonder, but would be too fearful to ask…
Interesting in giving this a try? Drop me a comment and I’ll choose a lucky winner this week!
I was about to comment on the book itself but your last sentence tops them all – I also appreciated that Kidder is “human” — he asks questions many of us would wonder, but would be too fearful to ask… -> this pretty much sums up why/how a fiction/writer is worth reading. Thank you for the chance to win this.
Sounds intriguing. Please enter me in the giveaway.
I’d love to be included in this giveaway; and thanks!
Count me in, please! Thanks.
Please pick me – this is our September pick for our bookclub:) Pick me!
This sounds like a great book club read–we loved Three Cups of Tea and I’d like to suggest Kidder’s book for a future meeting. Please enter my name into the drawing.
I read this book and really enjoyed it. I’d love to have my own copy. Thanks for the giveaway.
This book has been on my list as well. I think Kidder is a fine writer and I’d love to read this book. I’m taking Three Cups of Tea on a vacation this week!
sounds like a good book
I read Three Cups of Tea which made me think that if one person could accomplish so much, think of what a number of people could accomplish as a team. I love reading books that teaches without preaching, that allows us to somehow experience things just by turning the pages….enlightenment. I would love to read Mountains Beyond Mountains.
I would love to read this. I loved Cutting for Stone- One of my all time favorites. If Abraham Verghese recommends this book it would be a must read for me!
Sounds like a great book club choice. Our club also read Three Cups of Tea and could use a book with some more great inspiration.
So many great comments today!! I’ve so enjoyed reading them… Thank you! I’ll choose a winner soon!
I would love to read this, especially after reading the review. It sounds like a book for my TBR pile
Thanks for the giveaway.
This sounds incredibly intriguing. I have yet to read any of Kidder’s works and am now wondering why I haven’t. Thanks for the opportunity to win it as well as the excellent review.
I love to read stories like this. They are full of heart, soul and passion; passion which is the true test of time. Please count me in.
I have started the story and enjoy the descriptions of people and emotions the writer feels. Descriptions like a Kennedy being something of a second or shoddy because of the misunderstanding of the gift of oil from the Kennedy Administration.