Plot summary, “Snow Falling on Cedars” by David Guterson in 5 Minutes - Book Review

“Snow Falling on Cedars“ is a novel by David Guterson, published in 1994. The story is set on an island in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, and explores the aftermath of the murder of a local fisherman, Carl Heine Jr., in 1954. The novel delves into the complexities of small-town life, racial prejudice, and the lingering effects of World War II on Japanese Americans. The story is told from multiple perspectives, including that of Ishmael Chambers, a local newspaper reporter who was once in love with the wife of the accused killer, Kabuo Miyamoto, a Japanese American who faces discrimination and suspicion from the island’s white population. The novel weaves together flashbacks to Ishmael’s past and courtroom drama, as the town grapples with the question of whether Kabuo is guilty or innocent. The novel has been praised for its lyrical prose, vivid setting, and thought-provoking exploration of themes such as justice, forgiveness, and the power of memory.