I have been meaning for some time to review books here, yet it seems to escape me.  So I will begin today with a book I finished recently, Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson.

      This took me a along time to read; infact over a year.  I could not stay with the book for long periods of time in the beginning.  I would read a chapter or 2 and then my attention would be drawn to another work.  However, when I dug in the story really took me in. 

      The basic story line is that of a man and woman who experience forbidden love.  The love is forbidden by racisim.   Set in Puget Sound, of which I have never been, this author is brillantly talented in drawing one into the setting.  I felt like i had visited there.  The ex-lovers, Ishmael & Hatuse (japanese girl), are all placed in a murder trial.  Hatsue's husband has ween accused of murdering another fisherman.  Ishamel is a reporter ofr the newspaper.  This opens up the opportunity for flashbacks to the 1940's era when they had a love affair.  I had no idea how America had become completely chaotic and accusatory of their Japanese-American co-residents. 

    When Guterson fully develops the characters, you can feel the emotions that happen.  There were times when my body was tight with anxiety.  Other times alive with childhood memories.  You would swear that the other lifelong members of the town are people you know.  I enjoyed the excellent portrayal of the Japanese was really interesting to me. 

     There were times when I felt flashbacks were too detailed, long winded, and/or unnecessary to the development of the characters or plot.  However, that was very rare.  This was a read I wish I had not put off.  Give this book time to pull you in, and you will be glad you did.

Leslie <><