In 1954 a fisherman is found dead in the nets of his boat, and a local Japanese-American man is charged with his murder. In the course of his trial, it becomes clear that what is at stake is more than one man's guilt. For on San Piedro, memory grows as thickly as cedar trees and the fields of ripe strawberries - memories of a charmed love affair between a white boy and a Japanese girl; memories of land desired, paid for, and lost. Above all, San Piedro is haunted by the memory of what happened to its Japanese residents during World War II, when an entire community was sent into exile while its neighbours watched.
Snow Falling on Cedars
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Review
'This is classic whodunnit territory but Guterson's fiercely intelligent and moving novel is far more than a murder mystery Guterson has written a novel about the human condition that marvellously combines tenderness and excitement' The Times 'A skilfully constructed, deeply affecting story of love and death This is a hugely attractive book, written in clipped elegant prose' Sunday Times 'Compelling a flawlessly written first novel' New York Times 'The death of a fisherman turns into a murder trial and a test of passions brewed since Pearl Harbour between two heritages claustrophobically locked on one dot of land. Love and morality are beautifully choreographed into an exceptional debut novel' Daily Mail
From the Back Cover
San Piedro Island in Puget Sound is a place so isolated that no-one who lives there can afford to make enemies. But in 1954 a local fisherman is found suspiciously drowned, and a Japanese-American named Kabuo Miyamoto is charged with his murder.
In the course of the ensuing trial, it becomes clear that what is at stake is more than one man's guilt. For on San Piedro, memory grows as thickly as cedar trees and the fields of ripe strawberries – memories of a charmed love affair between a white boy and a Japanese girl who grew up to become Kabuo's wife; memories of land desired, paid for, and lost. Above all, San Piedro is haunted by the memories of what happened to its Japanese residents during World War II, when an entire community was sent into exile while its neighbours watched.
Gripping, tragic, and densely atmospheric, 'Snow Falling On Cedars' is a masterpiece of suspense – but one that leaves us shaken and changed.
"Luminous…a beautifully assured and full-bodied novel that becomes a tender examination of fairness and forgiveness…Guterson has fashioned something haunting and true."
PICO IYER, 'Time'.
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First Sentence
"The accused man, Kabuo Miyamoto, sat proudly upright with a rigid grace, his palms placed softly on the defendant's table-the posture of a man who has detached himself insofar as this is possible at his own trial." Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
"The accused man, Kabuo Miyamoto, sat proudly upright with a rigid grace, his palms placed softly on the defendant's table-the posture of a man who has detached himself insofar as this is possible at his own trial." Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have read this book a number of times now and, despite knowing the ending, never get tired of it.
Set on a small US fishing Island off Seattle it deals with a mixed community containing a number of japanese settlers. The period is the Second World War and the aftermath.
Prior to the war the community is fairly settled with it's staple outputs of logging, strawberry farming (using lots of immigrant japanese labour) and fishing. It features the parallel lives of two boys who grew up on the Island - Carl Heine a European Immigrant and Kabuo Miyamoto a Japanese Immigrant. Both move away to fight during the war (for the US) and both return damaged to an extent. The book starts as Carl Heine's body is discovered (I am not giving anything away here, this is revealed on page one) and tracks back over time to draw a picture of the circumstances running up to his death.
The author, David Guterson, does a lovely job of weaving a storyline of different lives and themes such as love, betrayal, war, racial hatred and upheaval set against a charming small island/town mentality. For example the descriptive passages dealing with the loneliness of fishing at night are simply excellent and this holds true throughout the book.
It is also a book that in many ways defys genre. I think pretty much anyone who enjoys a good book will like it. From the moment it starts it welcomes you in and pulls you through the trials and tribulations of the main charactors in an immersive and endearing way. The author deals with the key themes superbly.
I strongly suggest that if you have not read it you do so and allow it to wash over you. I don't think you will regret it and I think you will thouroughly enjoy it.
I hope this review was of use to you:)
Set on a small US fishing Island off Seattle it deals with a mixed community containing a number of japanese settlers. The period is the Second World War and the aftermath.
Prior to the war the community is fairly settled with it's staple outputs of logging, strawberry farming (using lots of immigrant japanese labour) and fishing. It features the parallel lives of two boys who grew up on the Island - Carl Heine a European Immigrant and Kabuo Miyamoto a Japanese Immigrant. Both move away to fight during the war (for the US) and both return damaged to an extent. The book starts as Carl Heine's body is discovered (I am not giving anything away here, this is revealed on page one) and tracks back over time to draw a picture of the circumstances running up to his death.
The author, David Guterson, does a lovely job of weaving a storyline of different lives and themes such as love, betrayal, war, racial hatred and upheaval set against a charming small island/town mentality. For example the descriptive passages dealing with the loneliness of fishing at night are simply excellent and this holds true throughout the book.
It is also a book that in many ways defys genre. I think pretty much anyone who enjoys a good book will like it. From the moment it starts it welcomes you in and pulls you through the trials and tribulations of the main charactors in an immersive and endearing way. The author deals with the key themes superbly.
I strongly suggest that if you have not read it you do so and allow it to wash over you. I don't think you will regret it and I think you will thouroughly enjoy it.
I hope this review was of use to you:)
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By "indiecaite"
Format:Paperback
I studied this novel for a module in my literature AS level. Before we studied it I read it twice and fell in love with it, the more we studied it the more i began to appreciate how Guterson has crafted the story to deeply engage and involve the reader.I read the book now and I can feel the weather, smell the scents and I love how Guterson has created this effect. I find the story to be full and well written, he's obvously done a tonne of research and the plot is brilliant.Our teacher wouldn't let us watch the film until we'd taken the exam.I wasn't disappointed.All the moodiness, the atmosphere, the chemistry had translated so well and the film remains to be one of the best I've seen.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic read - gentle, intelligent - takes you to a a wonderful place!
2 Dec 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
The most wonderful story-teller. Keeps you gripped throughout - it was a let down to finish. You can almost smell the cedars! One I would read again.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
This book arrived really quickly and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Good escapism during the bitter weather we were experiencing. Worth reading.
Published 23 days ago by jenny g
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bookclub choice
This was an incredibly good choice for our monthly bookclub. I can thoroughly Recommend it. Would also like to read Guterson's other books.
Published 26 days ago by Mrs Line Page
5.0 out of 5 stars
Snow
Brilliant book despite seeming unpromising plot line. Good character development and holds interest till very end. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sue simmons
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good read
I loved this book and couldn't put it down. Good descriptions of life in Japanese fishing community. I felt the cold climate sitting at home!
Published 1 month ago by Sussex
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the 15 year wait
Blurb.......In 1954 a fisherman is found dead in the nets of his boat, and a local Japanese-American man is charged with his murder. Read more
Published 3 months ago by col2910
4.0 out of 5 stars
A MEMORABLE BOOK
After trying to read "The Shipping News" and giving up - this book was a massive relief and antidote.
It is full of rich description and beautiful writing. Read more
It is full of rich description and beautiful writing. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Rocke Harder
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memorable
I enjoyed this immensely. Relax and let it all wash over you. You hope that the suspect didn't do it but the culprit is not revealed until the end. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mrs. Helen Carter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beware!
This has been wrongly classed as a "classic whodunnit" when really it is a classic "what happened?"
Even though I felt mislead by the description I enjoyed the book and it was... Read more
Even though I felt mislead by the description I enjoyed the book and it was... Read more
Published 12 months ago by RH
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable, slow mover
Enjoyable, slow mover. Rather heavy on the descriptive side if you don't go for that sort of thing.
Nonetheless, it's well written and the characters are quite engaging. Read more
Nonetheless, it's well written and the characters are quite engaging. Read more
Published 13 months ago by R. A. Vandervell
4.0 out of 5 stars
Murder Mystery V Highlighting Racial Prejudice
Very accessible easy text yet clever, engaging and descriptive making this a good page turner. It appears well researched dealing with characters in a small fishing community in... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Zoe
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