Rating: 
Summary: Beautifully Written
Review: For some unknown reason, I resisted reading this book for quite some time. Recently, however, I was going through the best sellers here at Amazon and decided to try it. This wonderful book by David Guterson managed to incorporate a courtroom drama and murder mystery with history, beautiful scenes and a very real portrayal of the conflicts of the human heart and mind. The real wonder of this book is that Mr. Guterson uses this mystery and it's courtroom drama as a vehicle to explore issues which go far deeper into the human soul. Without being heavy-handed, he brings home the life changing effects of war. He also brings to the fore a period of this country's history that most people either don't know about, don't remember or choose to forget. There is irony in the fact that the three main male characters all suffered from their own demons in their own way and how it changed their lives forever. The symbolism of the snow storm is powerful to me. It is amazing to me how Mr. Guterson managed to incorporate so many things into one wonderful and moving book.
Rating: 
Summary: Deserving but not for everyone
Review: Don't Don't Don't read this book for the plot--because there really isn't much of one. YOu could really summarize the key points of the story in about three sentences(I don't want to spoil the book by doing it). While others reviewers have stated that the book is rich in characters, I would tend to disagree. I found the characters stale,very one-dimensional and totally predictable. Especially Hatsue, who had no personality whatsoever. The saving grace of this book is the atmosphere, Guterson is clearly from this area and truly brings it alive for the reader. However, my last negative :)--it's not for weak readers, the language is dense and hard to get through at times.
Rating:
Summary: Not for schoolCHILDREN
Review: It takes a mature mind to really appreciate the depth of detail the author uses in all aspects of this story. I picked up this book off the "new books" shelf in the library in Ewa Beach, HI just because of the title. I'm a slow reader, but had a very hard time putting this book down, and when I finished, I thought "they've got to make a movie of this, but how can they ever do it justice". Now, two years later, I've seen the movie and it was true to the story. But I'd still say read the book FIRST. If you love descriptive novels, you'll enjoy the read. If not, stick to Cliff Notes!
Rating:
Summary: A journey inside the human spirit and mind!
Review: Being in Japan I have not been exposed to the hype that seems to surround the movie in North America, in fact I know little about it. However, this book was recommended to me by a friend and I picked it up recently and as soon as I began to read it I couldn't put it down. Snow Falling on Cedars captivated me from the very beginning. I found the characters to be deeply written and well developed. The author manages to touch on so many aspects of the human spirit and mind: love and hate, betrayal and forgiveness, fear and jealousy. The focus of the book is obviously the setting, of which the author has intimate knowledge. However, I did find at times that he would dwell too long on the imagery and at times it tended to drag on a little too long and a little too eloquently. That being said, it is an essential part of the book and its importance is reflected in the characters themselves. They are a part of the land and the land a part of themselves. This book allows us to dig deep into their minds and in turn allows us to look deep into ourselves. I believe each of us can easily relate to some (if not all) of the characters in this book. We have all lived their experiences at one time or another.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyed it, but had a concern
Review: I was looking for SOMETHING to read, and saw the movie previews for Snow Falling on Cedars. Thought, what the heck. The previews look good. And actually, I enjoyed the book. We get rich characters and scenery. I felt like heading down to the docks after reading some of the fishing scenes. The main character did something I found annoying (can't reveal it -- that might spoil the book) but the main character doesn't have to be infallible. My one concern was the author's inexplicable preoccupation with the male sex organ, specifically, in mentioning it several times when it was unneccessary. For that reason, and the descriptions of sex, I wouldn't recommend this book for teens.
Rating:
Summary: Snow Falling on Cedars
Review: Guterson has proven himself to be a great writer. The setting and dialogue are vivid, stimulating the corners of my imagination. I can still see the faces of the characters and feel their emotions. I cannot imagine how a movie could be made from such a book, no director could capture Guterson's images. Snow Falling on Cedars isn't just another book, it's a multi - sensory experience. I am currently reading East of the Mountains, by the same author. So far so good.
Rating:
Summary: This is NOT your typical murder mystery
Review: I am not generally a fan of books with murder or crime themes, so I had initially approached SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS with trepidation. However, within a few pages I was unable to put the book down. The author's narrative was compelling and the imagery of the Pacific Northwest were almost lyrical in structure and cadence. The plot moved along swiftly yet the depth of the story was something that stayed with me for quite some time. The book is certainly a mainstream best seller, yet it a fine piece of literature by any standard.
Rating:
Summary: Beauty
Review: Beautiful, evocative, and a plot that keeps the reader interested until the end.
Rating: 
Summary: nothing generic here
Review: Much of what has been said about the verbosity of the author is true. However, I was pleased with his commentary on human nature and the attention he pays to smells.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully evocative writing, shame about the plot
Review: It helps enormously that David Guterson lives in the part of the world he decribes in this book, since it enables him to give a hauntingly evocative description of the physical landscape in which his characters have to struggle. The first two thirds of the book are quite gripping, but the ending is just awful. A five-year-old could see through it and this denouement spoils what is otherwise a very good book
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