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Summary: "Snow Falling on Cedars" a haunting tale of war, fate
Review: With the echoes of a horrific war in the background of the character's minds, "Snow Falling on Cedars" proves itself to be a truly haunting tale of love, prejudice, and blind fate. Set on a small island in the Pacific Northwest, the novel details the murder trial of a Japanese fisherman. He is accused of killing a white man over a land dispute dating back to the time he and his family were sent to a Japanese internment camp during World War Two. David Guterson explores the common ideas of prejudice and post-war depression in an innovative and personal way, leaving the reader to question his or her own beliefs about racism and the meaning of life up until the final pages of the novel. He also tells a tragic tale of how fate favors no one and how people often don't know how to react when heartbreaking situations arise. Guterson explores these deep and meaningful ideas in the context of what proves to be an enthralling and compelling mystery - a story that leaves you turning pages not only to find out what happens next, but what is truly locked in the souls of the characters. Filled with unrequited love, the passion of family lands and cultures, and the true feelings of individuals in utterly distressing times, "Snow Falling on Cedars" is a story not to be missed.
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Summary: Historically interesting, but otherwise unreal
Review: This book looked and is interesting up through about the first chapter, after that it gets a little more tedious. All the historical detail is interesting, but the author is not sufficiently in touch with the historical predicament of the main characters to be able to convey its poignancy. The so-called "dilemna" of Ishmael Chambers is seen far too late int he story for there to be ny sense of suspense. We know, already, what Ishmael will do if his character remains consistent. Had Guterson revealed the information from the lighthouse at the end of the first chapter, where al the rest of the "present-immediate past" summary happened The suspense could have built throughout the revalation of his character. But unfortunately, becasue we know Ishmael so well when he comes upon the information, the last 50 pages are a drag. This problem is reflected in the character of Kabuo, who does exactly the same thing. Overall, I liked the historical aspects of this book, the details about the island life were conveyed nicely, not i a teaching or a guess-as-you-go way. And for the most part, the history was new to me. But the character and plot failures were so obvious that I couldn't appreciate the history.
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Summary: A small community is rocked by a circumstancial murder
Review: A murder mystery entwined in a forgotten love story, makes Snow Falling on Cedars one book that is impossible to set down. San Pedro Island's strawberry fields are to die for, and most of the town is convinced that is how Carl Hiene lost his life. And even though it is almost seven years after World War II, the prejudices still run strong amidst the strawberry vines. This books allows you to think about whether or not the man on trial, Kabuo, a lifelong resident of San Pedro who is a Japanese-American, really killed Carl for a piece of land. It also makes you think about how deeply rooted a society can get in its prejudices
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Summary: Snow Falling On Cedars is a novel for all to read!
Review: Snow Falling On Cedars is an excellent and intriguing novel written by suspense, and racism. The story takes place in the 1950's, seven years after World War II, in San Piedro Island just north of Puget Sound. Kabuo Miyamoto, a Japanese- American fisherman who is fighting to reclaim his family's strawberry field, is charged with the murder of an American fisherman, Carl Heine. This novel takes the audience for a wild and adventurous ride through the romances and prejudices of the native islanders. I really ejoyed reading this novel because I was not only taken through each event of Kabuo's murder trial, but I also became familiar with the lifestyles of the islanders and how everyone's lives interwined. Snow Falling On Cedars is a true example of human life at its best and at its worst
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Summary: Although the story is well-written, the ending is flat.
Review: David Guterson's _Snow Falling on Cedars_ is a novel in which the author continuously weaves elements of foreshadowing and mystery throughout. The "shady" setting, Amity Harbor on San Piedro Island, seemed quite appropriate for the plot due to the fact that the murder trial is occurring. Guterson did an excellent job of allowing his words to create real pictures. One can almost see a thick layer of fog surrounding the well-developed characters. The author takes us through several detailed events which give the reader a better understanding of who the characters actually were and what they had experienced over the years, such as Kabuo and Ishmael's World War II experiences. I think these flashbacks were valuable to the book as they helped to provide more depth to the people of the Amity Harbor community. In addition, I thought the book dealt with the whole trial aspect well, and didn't give us too many uninteresting details. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with how Guterson ended his novel. The whole text builds itself up so well, and then just dies in the last couple of chapters. Overall, I thought this was a good book, but it could have been made much better by a more surprising ending
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Summary: This book was intriguing and unique.
Review: Snow Falling on Cedars is set on San Piedro Island which deeply shapes the characters and plot. Kabuo is a Japanese man charged in the murder of a fishermen named Carl Heine. The motive for this murder is supposedly a family fued over land rights. This book dives into the prejudices the island people hold over the Japanese nearly seven years after World War II. I enjoyed this book because it thoroughly develops each of the characters and how their lives intertwine with one another. With each chapter the reader discovers even more about the beauty of the island, World War II, the characters, and the events surrounding Carl Heine's death
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Summary: History as an influence on the human race
Review: Three cheers for Guterson. Snow Falling on Cedars is incredible; in fact, it left me speechless. Guterson mirrors his reocurring themes in the novel by falling snow, cedar trees, and strawberry fields. He also parallels the events of the ongoing trial in the novel by the snow storm. This was a nice touch. One of the main themes that Guterson emphasizes is how events in history influence human judgment. For example, the problem is presented in the court trial preceedings on San Piedro Island that tensions of World War II still exist and may influence the jury in their decision of whether or not to convict Mr. Miyamoto merely because he's Japanese. Yes, history is over with. It's in the past, and yet somehow one can never escape it. History will effect the reasoning of the human race forever and will influence generation after generation. The novel is deep. It made me really stop and think about what Guterson is trying to communicate to the reader and its relevance to society today. It might be a long shot, but from what I've gained from the book, the effects of history on modern-day human society are surely evident. Even in recent news, history shows that it is repeating itself. Just to mention an example...the shooting at Columbine High School.
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Summary: The begining was kinda slow but it really picked up
Review: Razle-Dazle this book has it. In the begining it was kinda slow and confusing, however after he went to war it all picked up. This book was very vulgire and discriptive but it was enough to catch my eye"chris Willis"
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Summary: Beautifully written, but can certainly be improved.
Review: Snow Falling on Cedars is an excellent book that bears testimony to Guterson's genius, showing much insight. However, I must confess I had difficulty singling out the main character, and I also felt it was overly sexual (remember: the book is actually about the trial regarding a drowned fisherman).
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Summary: couldn't put it down
Review: This book dragged me in from the beginning. It dealt with some interesting issues about small towns and racial differences. I now want to read more of Mr. Guterson' work.
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