Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Book - But Predictable
Review: This book was very enjoyable to read. I found the beginning a bit slow; but by the middle of the book I found it difficult to put down. When approaching the end of the book, one realizes the predictability of the conclusion, which I found rather dissapointing. It just leaves the reader hanging. What a shame that we don't know how the main character's lives go on. The book could have gone on for another chapter to wrap up the ending. Parts of the book could have been more condensed leaving the ending more elaborate and descriptive. This book is long, but definitely worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books I have read!
Review: I loved this book! It was a tad long,but, it was also completely gratifying. The poetry of this story was remarkable! This is one of my three fave books. Here are some books to check out: 1) Girl,Interrupted 2)Ella Enchanted 3) Snow Falling On Cedars This book was a little hard to understand but great. I am soon to be publishing my book. If you would like to know what it is about e-mail me.
Rating: 
Summary: To be continued?
Review: I have just finished reading this interesting novel, due in part to the fact that it is going to be made into a movie that looks stunning. The book Mr. Guterson has written is brilliant in its ability to recreate the Pacific Northwest in the mind of the reader. The story moves along and tries to show the aspects of the human heart. The flaw lies at the novel's end. It just stops. I was truly disappointed when I was left there with Ishmael. You wonder what is going to happen with him and Hatsue. How does the town react? What about Kabauo's dream? Does it come true? Though long, the ending is truly a disappointment and the novel could easily go on for another fifty pages.
Rating: 
Summary: OK, but somewhat disappointing
Review: I was very excited to read this book because everyone said that it was great, and I was excited that it was being made into a movie. I found the beginning to be very slow; by the middle, I almost couldn't put it down, and I thought it would continue like that through the end. However, I found the end to be very predictable and disappointing. None of the characters were very well developed, and it would have been better if the focus of the book was on the characters and not the descriptions of the snow and fishing boats. The end definitely left me hanging and unsatisfied.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read
Review: This book is long, but I read it in about two days - I literally couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to find out if Kabuo murdered Carl and if he would be convicted. The genius of this book is that it has something for everyone - mystery, courtroom drama, romance, and a war story. It's an ambitious novel, and Guterson succeeds brilliantly. I haven't read his latest novel, but if it's half as good as this I won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Not impressed
Review: I was somewhat disappointed in this book. I felt the plotline was thin and there wasn't much depth. I know the overall reaction to this book is of a superior nature, but I was positively underwhelmed.
Rating: 
Summary: Yawns falling on Cedars
Review: This book had some promise in the beginning but then the writing gradually became more awkward, the characters less believable. The courtroom scenes had all the emotional tension of softly chewed gum. Character development -- just didn't happen. For those who loved this book -- congratulations for mastering probably the most challeging piece of literature you have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: An evocation, not a thriller
Review: Snow Falling on Cedars is an interesting, low-keyed book about a time and a place unfamiliar to most readers.I enjoyed a it lot, both for its language and its human insights. I would never have expected, however, that this book would generate such extremely divergent responses from readers. Some think it is the best thing they ever read and others damn it as a waste of time. There is no question that much of what the critical reviews say is true: the book is slow, it is very long on detail, it jumps around in time, it doesn't focus on the 'mystery' and the trial, and the ending is somewhat predictable. But none of these things can be criticisms unless the author intended the book to be more fast paced, plot driven, and have a snappy surprise ending. The readers are really complaining that the book is not what they wanted or expected it to be - some more traditional mystery, love story, thriller type book - the kind of books that the shelves and best seller lists are full of and that demand nothing from the reader and deliver even less.This book, on the contrary, is an evocation of time and place. It is largely 'memory' even though it is not a first person narrative. It asks the reader to relax into a poetic reverie on who these people are and how they came to the situation upon which the plot turns. The author does not push the mystery element except as an excuse to uncover more information about his characters, their relationships and the origins of their current lives. Not everyone enjoys this kind of book. Certainly those who gravitate towards Jackie Collins or John Grisham should not be expected to find this to their likeing. Even those who read only 'serious' literature have special tastes and only some will appreciate this. Snow Falling on Cedars has a quiet voice and a simple mind. It doesn't shout at the reader and it doesn't present any concept of great difficulty or moment. The themes it deals with - love, justice, betrayal, honesty, etc - are all very basic and fundamental to narrative, and the author has nothing really new to say. Still, the packaging is pretty and the end result for the reader who enjoys the quiet, poetic tone of the book, is a great satisfaction.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful!
Review: This is one of the most beautifully written books I have read in a long time. The descriptions of the environment and the people are so precise that you can practically smell, taste, and feel every scene. The plot is well developed, keeps your attention and has an interesting historical aspect as well. I was sorry when it came to an end. I HIGHLY recommend this novel. Read it - you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I read this book because everyone else said they loved it. The book was very difficult to get through, the first part moved so slowly. I kept reading on, hoping I would develop an iota of sympathy for this guy, but never really did. Hopefully in the movie version, Ethan Hawke will be able to portray the character with the depth that was lacking in the book.
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