Resumo de Snow Falling On Cedars

This is a well written story about tolerance and forgiveness. The author uses flashbacks as a cornerstone to delve into the history of a small northwest island community during the early 1900?s. A Japanese-American man named Kabuo Miyamoto is charged with the first degree murder of a white fisherman, Karl Heine, with whom he has a past.

The Miyamoto family is one of many Japanese families that immigrated to the US in the late 1800?s. Since the Japanese could not own land because they were not citizens, they worked in mills, canneries, and as contract/share croppers. Though the Japanese are accepted in minor ways they still stay within their own social circles and are required to follow many unspoken rules. A young man, Ishmael, from the white community starts an affair with a Japanese girl, Hatsue. The love affair between these teenagers illustrates the differences of the two cultures. They hide the fact from society, including their own families. Ishmael believes that love is all that matters, while Hatsue bears the heavy burden of her betrayal.

When WWII starts many local Japanese join the armed forces in order to prove their loyalty to America. The Japanese left behind are sent to internment camps. Fear and prejudice become commonplace. Many people from both groups return from the war and internment camps to find promises unfulfilled and human compassion lacking. The ravages of war affect the entire population in similar ways.

The death of Karl Heine in a fishing accident becomes a witch hunt for a likely perpetrator. A biased investigation supports the certainty of the whites that Kabuo is guilty of premeditated murder. The evidence is circumstantial, but the all white jury has already made up their minds. Ishmael finds proof that will support Kabuo?s innocence and the true manner of Karl?s death. Hurt because Hatsue, who is now Kabuo?s wife will not acknowledge his longing for her, Ishmael does not present the facts until he finally stops blaming Hatsue for his solitary unhappiness. Truth prevails. So begins the chance for the community to heal if they can set aside their preconceived ideas and practice understanding and tolerance.

The author tries to maintain suspense, but the reader easily anticipates the truth. This novel confronts the principles of a historical society. The detailed characters and compelling story make this an important tale of morality. Lush imagery seduces the reader to become lost in this story of the adaptability of the human spirit.

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