About the Author David Guterson
David Gutterson was born on May 4th 1956 in Seattle, Washington. He attended the University of Washington where he got a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English literature and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing in 1978. He married his high school classmate Robin Radwick in 1979 when he moved to Rhode Island and went to school for a year. They then moved to Puget Sound in Washington where Gutterson became a teacher. Gutterson was a teacher twelve years before he became a writer. It was during his time as a teacher when he begin to publish short stories and essays in magazines and other works. He is most recognized as the author of the book Snow Falling on Cedars which is his third and most popular novel. Gutterson also writes about environmental issues and other topics. For more details visit David Gutterson Biography.
Plot Synopsis
On the island of Puget Sound, a fisherman named Carl Heine is found dead in his fishing boat, apparently drowned. Kabuo Miyamoto, a fellow fisherman, a Japanese American, is charged with his murder. All the evidence points toward Kabuo but he claims to be innocent. Ishmael, ex-boyfriend of Kabuo's wife reports on the trial for the local newspaper. Throughout the trial Ishmael reminisces about his relationship with Kabuo's wife which leads him to discovering the truth about the trial. Snow Falling on Cedars is an enthralling book with a deep mystery at the core of it.
Literary Information David Gutterson's book Snow Falling on Cedars falls in the mystery/drama genre because it is basically a court case in which no one knows what is happening. The authors tone is sort of a mysterious and distant from the story because it is mostly unpleasant actions. The main conflict in the story is Ishmael struggling with his feelings and the murder trial for Carl Heine. Snow Falling on cedars is written in third person omniscient point-of-view because the thoughts and feelings of all characters is known by the narrator. The story is basically written in informal diction because most of the story is more of a laid back conversation. Literary Analysis
One possible theme of the story is that early love will cause conflict or prejudice will always return. The first theme is promoted by many of the stories of Ishmael with Hatsue when they were children. The two would always hang out together. As a result Hatsue would consistently lie to her mother. Also, Hatsue's love for Ishmael at her age angered her mother because he was a white boy and not Asian like her (224) . Later in their lives, Ishmael was emotionally depressed because he still loved Hatsue but Hatsue did not love her (230). This shows how early love caused conflict. The theme prejudice will always return is supported by all the prejudice that keeps showing up in the book. On the island it is basically separated by Japanese and White people. At one point all the Japanese even get thrown off the island. It shows that prejudice is always present in people. Criticism
David Gutterson's book Snow Falling on Cedars was overall a very good book. I really loved in the book how the whole court trial was written. Instead of the trial happening all at once, it was shown periodically throughout the book with other scenes in between like flashbacks and the police investigating. Somehow, David Gutterson constantly held me in a vice grip the entire book. I felt like I could not put it down because it was so suspenseful. Also Gutterson painted a very clear image of what the island was like and the whole process of the trial. There were a few things I disliked. For instance, the book was sometimes a little too jumpy. It hopped around a lot and never really stayed in one spot. Although many books are like this and work well, I didn't really feel it in this book. There were also a few references and scenes that were not really appropriate and also necessary to contribute to the book.
Snow Falling on Cedars
by David Guterson
About the Author David Guterson
David Gutterson was born on May 4th 1956 in Seattle, Washington. He attended the University of Washington where he got a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English literature and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing in 1978. He married his high school classmate Robin Radwick in 1979 when he moved to Rhode Island and went to school for a year. They then moved to Puget Sound in Washington where Gutterson became a teacher. Gutterson was a teacher twelve years before he became a writer. It was during his time as a teacher when he begin to publish short stories and essays in magazines and other works. He is most recognized as the author of the book Snow Falling on Cedars which is his third and most popular novel. Gutterson also writes about environmental issues and other topics. For more details visit David Gutterson Biography.
Plot Synopsis
On the island of Puget Sound, a fisherman named Carl Heine is found dead in his fishing boat, apparently drowned. Kabuo Miyamoto, a fellow fisherman, a Japanese American, is charged with his murder. All the evidence points toward Kabuo but he claims to be innocent. Ishmael, ex-boyfriend of Kabuo's wife reports on the trial for the local newspaper. Throughout the trial Ishmael reminisces about his relationship with Kabuo's wife which leads him to discovering the truth about the trial. Snow Falling on Cedars is an enthralling book with a deep mystery at the core of it.
Literary Information
David Gutterson's book Snow Falling on Cedars falls in the mystery/drama genre because it is basically a court case in which no one knows what is happening. The authors tone is sort of a mysterious and distant from the story because it is mostly unpleasant actions. The main conflict in the story is Ishmael struggling with his feelings and the murder trial for Carl Heine. Snow Falling on cedars is written in third person omniscient point-of-view because the thoughts and feelings of all characters is known by the narrator. The story is basically written in informal diction because most of the story is more of a laid back conversation.
Literary Analysis
One possible theme of the story is that early love will cause conflict or prejudice will always return. The first theme is promoted by many of the stories of Ishmael with Hatsue when they were children. The two would always hang out together. As a result Hatsue would consistently lie to her mother. Also, Hatsue's love for Ishmael at her age angered her mother because he was a white boy and not Asian like her (224) . Later in their lives, Ishmael was emotionally depressed because he still loved Hatsue but Hatsue did not love her (230). This shows how early love caused conflict. The theme prejudice will always return is supported by all the prejudice that keeps showing up in the book. On the island it is basically separated by Japanese and White people. At one point all the Japanese even get thrown off the island. It shows that prejudice is always present in people.
Criticism
David Gutterson's book Snow Falling on Cedars was overall a very good book. I really loved in the book how the whole court trial was written. Instead of the trial happening all at once, it was shown periodically throughout the book with other scenes in between like flashbacks and the police investigating. Somehow, David Gutterson constantly held me in a vice grip the entire book. I felt like I could not put it down because it was so suspenseful. Also Gutterson painted a very clear image of what the island was like and the whole process of the trial. There were a few things I disliked. For instance, the book was sometimes a little too jumpy. It hopped around a lot and never really stayed in one spot. Although many books are like this and work well, I didn't really feel it in this book. There were also a few references and scenes that were not really appropriate and also necessary to contribute to the book.
If you liked this book you may also enjoy these books: The Red Badge of Courage or The Joy Luck Club
Made by Iain McCrory