Snow Falling On Cedars

Snow Falling on Cedars

By: David Guterson

Type Of Book: Fiction

Set in 1954, on a fishing island Near Washington State:

Main Characters:  Carle Heine (the murdered),  Kabuo Miyamoto (the accused).  Hatsue (wife of the accused) Ishmael (local reporter & childhood friend ot Hatsue)..

Summary:  A man in a small town is found dead, tangled in his fishing boat.  A Japanese man is accused of his murder, and the book is about the trial.  You get a lot of history of the area, and each character in the story.   There is some scandal, injustice and Heartbreak. 

Did the story draw you in?  At first, but then it got sooooo slow. 

How was the set up?  There was a lot of good background information on the characters, and the area, maybe too much information.

Was it fast paced?  There was not a lot of action in the story, it was pretty slow paced.  At least half of the book took place 15 years prior to the current murder case.

Could I relate?  I could relate, because there were some issues involving/ revolving around an inter-racial relationship.  My husband and I are also from very different backgrounds, but in the present time there is little to no stigma attached to inter-racial couples.  Especially when compared to the time period in this book.  Though some of the sentiments would still hold true for us, especially the different cultural backgrounds. 

Lessons, or points?

Thoughts Provoked?  It does bring to light some of the (possible) injustices that took place during this time period, and also makes you realize that racism, and injustices due to racism are not easily forgotten.

Issues Raised – Japanese/ American relations following World War II, and their Lingering effects.

Did I like It?  I did enjoy it, but I prefer books with a little bit more happening. 

Favorite Part? None.

Would you recommend this book? (to whom?)  I would never suggest this book, but I probably wouldn’t steer anyone away from it, if they were considering it.   There was a little love, and little fight, and a little mystery.  But not a lot of anything. 

Was there a movie Made?  - Yes, but the book doesn’t compel me to run out and see the move.   

Final Thoughts:

For me the book was too slow.  The idea was great, the premise could have been exciting, but there was too much detail.  Too much mundane stuff that I didn’t care about.  Maybe the book was full of symbolism, but it was lost on me.  You were interested in what happened to Carl, but then ends didn’t justify the means.