Name: Snow Falling on Cedars
ISBN: 9780679764021

David Guterson

In 1954, Ishmael Chambers, a local reporter who lost an arm in the war, covers the murder trial of a Japanese American fisherman, whose wife had been Ishmael's childhood sweetheart

Snow Falling on Cedars

Veronica Overholt

He appreciated the sheriff’s answer; it cast a favourable moral light on his witness and gave him the authority of a conscientious man, for which there was ultimately no substitute. 

jai g.

Lara Engle

Ugh. This book was too long and too atmospheric. I don't think we need all the details on every event in the lives of every character. I also don't think we need to be told that it smells like snow everywhere in the middle of a massive snowstorm, nor that the snow is covering everything, especially the cedars.

Maybe this book just wasn't for me, but I was bored. That rarely happens when I'm reading. At least the end was mostly what I was hoping for. I guess. The last line made me angry in its linguistic patness. Ending with "chambers of the human heart" when speaking of the emotionally stunted Ishmael Chambers just knocked the whole thing down another notch for me.

Was hesitant at the beginning but ended up being a wonderful read about relationships and being part of a community. First fiction book I've really enjoyed in a long time.

Abigail Swallow

Anyaconda

Totally overrated, too many unnecessary details and repetitions that don't add to the story. The characters are caricatures.
The topics would have been so interesting, but the execution felt flat to me.
As always this is just my personal opinion.

Gary Udstrand

Great book, though slow moving at times. Wonderful prose that evokes wonderful imagery.

Katie Chua

best part was his examination on PTSD and war

worst part was the writing tbh, his portrayal of female characters, and just the story wasn't even good enough to excuse it

Jaymie Lemke

Hard for me to get into, but finally finished it.

Fraser Simons

One part court room drama, one part historical context of a small community and a land agreement between immigrants and a white, I guess middle class, back when middle class meant something, family. The two of whom are linked in a myriad of ways, not the least of which is the two younger siblings being socialized in the same are, but still very much raised in two worlds. When a member of the community is killed, a member of the Japanese family is fingered. An incident that ignites a powder keg in the town brewing for some time, and sparks the introspection and dissection of the community and two families being examined. 

While it does feel slightly dated, I think this unequivocally is attempting to show the effects of war on a community; specifically propaganda and fear mongering feeding into racist ideology out-group(s). In this case, vilifying the Japanese in the war and back home alike. 

It can turn a phrase and is more comprehensive in its showing of subtle interactions and motivations. It’s as much a character study as the man accused of murder is having to prove his character to white people who measure him with white standards and attitudes. Decent pacing, great description and dialogue. No real complaints, though I don’t think it knocked my socks off; probably because of the more dated aspects in the characterization of the Japanese family, which border on orientalism in the quintessential reduction of the racial identity. However, as mentioned, it is always clear what the intent of the story is.

Snow Falling on Cedars

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