February - Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
Chosen by Tony - average score 7.8
![Picture](/uploads/7/7/7/4/7774990/7248317.jpg?74)
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, memories grow 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.
Bookworms' Verdicts
Tony
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Now read the book 4 times and each time I've picked up something new and interesting. It is a book of conflicts between people and races. The raging storm also plays its part giving a sense of isolation to a community that is set in its ways. WWII is still affecting the lives of many characters at the time of the trial and xenophobia towards the Japanese is still very strong.
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9
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Nick
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Loved it. Some have found it difficult to get into but I was into it in half a page. Liked the way it captured young love and the portrayal of how this affected Ishmael was very well done. The theme of xenophobia & cultural difference ran like a thread through the whole story and highlighted the differences between the characters. Did find the ending disappointing, as though the author didn't quite know how to finish the book.
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8
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Ceri
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Bought a Kindle and this was first read using it. Found this frustrating for several reasons and detracted from enjoyment of the book. Did find the book hard to get into but have great respect for the author. The book is well written and the characters are superb. The overall feeling of the book is one of sadness and there was not a lot of pleasure. Really felt for Ishmael and would definitely recommend it to others.
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8
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Lisa
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Has not managed to finish it. Not felt compelled to pick it up but when had more time at half-term did begin to get into it. Enjoyed reading about Japanese culture.
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Matt
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Also hasn't had time to finish. Didn't have an immediate appeal but like the way the characters were developed.
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Marilyn
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Originally tried to read this when it came out but couldn't get into it and didn't like it so when it was chosen as the first read of the new book group, my heart sank. But found I couldn't put it down. So this is the 3rd time I've read it and found different things in it to enjoy. It is a beautifully written and well-researched book. It is a book about loss & betrayal. Loved the way the scenes were set in the landscape of the island and felt that you were present in the strawberry fields, the cedar forest, the seashore and so on. Not a book to skim because the tiny details combine to capture the essence of the characters. The book shows that the damage of war is far-reaching, blighting the whole community down the years. Loved the way it moved from the courtroom to the the individual lives of the main characters and back again. The weather was one of the main elements in the book and the storm forced the islanders in on themselves. A beautiful book.
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9
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Sarah
(new member) |
Also read on a Kindle but has got used to the device so it wasn't a problem. Too much description for my taste. Liked the way certain characters were portrayed particularly the defending attorney, Nels. Didn't find the trial part of the book that interesting and much prefered the flash-backs. Liked the way relationships were developed and portrayed. Don't know if would read again.
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6
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Angela
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Second time read. Didn't find it gripping and kept getting bogged down. Wanted the author to get on with the story. Found the characterisation to be perhaps over-done
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6
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Jackie
(ab but sent email) |
I had tried reading this book before but given up on it. This time I persevered, and have to say quite enjoyed it. The courtroom scenes are reminiscent of ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ and the description of the defendant lawyers physical state (especially the eye) really brought him to life. I liked the descriptions of the landscapes, the cedars, the strawberry fields, the sea (you could almost smell them). Having read quite a lot of John Irving recently I thought David Guterson’s style was very similar. Whilst the beginning of the book was a little tedious, it picked up and was quite a tense read towards the end, wondering if Ishmael was going to do the right thing, his father would most certainly have done so, and I was relieved that he finally did. I like happy endings!
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7
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John
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Re-read and is the kind of book I keep on my shelves to read again. Liked construction of the story with the trial acting as the backbone on which the history of the community, the war, and the development of the characters were hung. Liked the way the themes of love, prejudice, greed, landscape and weather were woven together throughout the book. One Amazon reviewer called it "Slow Falling on Cedars" but to me the book wasn't fast-food to be gulped down but a gourmet meal to be taken slowly and savoured. Thought the love scenes were beautifully done. Aspects of the courtroom scenes were a bit clichéd and didn't like the endless repetition of what the witness had just said - thought this became tedious.
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9
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