Mountains Beyond Mountains - Boston College High School

All school read: Mountains Beyond Mountains The quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a man who would cure the world. Over the summer all students, faculty and staff will read Mountains Beyond Mountains, about the work of Dr. Paul Farmer.

Paul Farmer has worked for decades to bring better healthcare to parts of the world where people live in extreme poverty. He wants to both provide treatment and work on prevention so that people don’t get sick in the first place. His organization, Partners in Health (pih.org) is best known for the hospitals they have built in Haiti and in Rwanda.

Much of the book is set in Haiti, an island in the Caribbean. There are also many parts set right here in Boston.

The author, Tracy Kidder, writes in the first person about his experiences traveling with Dr. Farmer in order to write the book. He describes Dr. Farmer’s past and what sort of person Dr. Farmer is today.

As you read this book you will be introduced to many people and places. Make sure you focus on the information about Dr. Farmer, his family and close friends. Follow the plot of the story. How does Dr. Farmer become involved in caring for the poor? What motivates him? How does this affect the other people in his life? What are some of his successes and failures in serving the poor and changing the healthcare system around the world? You will be asked to do an assignment on this book when you get back to school, but don’t worry about that while you’re reading. Focus on enjoying the book and learning about Dr. Farmer and his work.