The novel delves into the intricate question of identity, particularly for Marion and Shiva who grow up as orphans in a country on the cusp of revolution. Torn between their Indian and British heritage, and forever marked by their unusual birth, they grapple with finding their place in the world. Their individual searches for belonging take them on divergent paths, highlighting the multifaceted nature of identity.

Love, in all its forms, is a driving force in the novel. The tragic love story of their parents sets the stage for a lifetime of seeking connection for the twins. From familial love to romantic entanglements, the characters experience the elation and devastating pain of love found and lost. The novel explores how love can both heal and wound, shaping the very core of human existence.

Medicine is more than a profession in "Cutting for Stone"; it's a calling, an art form intertwined with the human condition. The twins inherit their passion for medicine from their surgeon father, but their approaches differ greatly. Shiva, the instinctive surgeon, embraces the physicality of healing, while Marion, drawn to the emotional complexities of illness, finds his calling in the more nuanced realm of surgery. The novel beautifully portrays the transformative power of healing, both physical and emotional.