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A review by smallicedmocha
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
4.0
I would actually rate this more like 3.5 because there were a number of superfluous sections, but I bumped it up to 4 because of the lack of something similar. This novel is something that is read, but also felt, tasted, and smelled. A lot of the descriptions and details add to the notion that the reader is experiencing the events, whether in the "past" or "present" of the plot. This is in contrast with many modern novels where the reader passively watches and remains informed of what is happening.
In addition, the content it addressed is rather unique among the current American literature options because it looks at prejudice and treatment of the Japanese during the period immediately following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a rather horrifying but seldom written about period in American history. I cannot speak to the accuracy of these events or portrayals of communities any more than I can do that with Tudorian novels or the Elizabethean court, but I do recognize the underlying themes of fear of the "other", the flaws of perception and being caught up in a single narrative, and how prolonged experiences of hurt and trauma can influence how a person acts. I appreciated the walks through the past particularly because of the detail and immersive experience that would later inform me more about a character's personhood as the trial progressed.
In addition, the content it addressed is rather unique among the current American literature options because it looks at prejudice and treatment of the Japanese during the period immediately following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a rather horrifying but seldom written about period in American history. I cannot speak to the accuracy of these events or portrayals of communities any more than I can do that with Tudorian novels or the Elizabethean court, but I do recognize the underlying themes of fear of the "other", the flaws of perception and being caught up in a single narrative, and how prolonged experiences of hurt and trauma can influence how a person acts. I appreciated the walks through the past particularly because of the detail and immersive experience that would later inform me more about a character's personhood as the trial progressed.