Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson was an interesting novel. At first i didn’t like it at all. I persevered and ended up loving it. Set in 1954 on a small fictional island off the coast of Washington State 10 years after the end of WW2 prejudices still ran high against the Japanese. When a fisherman comes up dead an investigation leads to possible foul place. The defendant has to prove his innocence with a big odd against him, his race. This books takes the reader through multiple genres that would fit many book lovers. It is character driven with a historical fiction setting and romance. Police and detective working against racism and prejudices of all kinds that ultimately fits the courtroom dramas many readers enjoy. In 1999 this enjoyable novel was made into a movie.

Just wish Guterson had asked someone before naming one of his main characters "Kabuo," literally "turnip man."

This book has just the right balance of drama, suspense, mystery and romance. It is set among the historical backdrop of WWII, overshadowed by the dark cloud of the internment of Japanese-Americans and sprinkled with patriotism and prejudice. Add good writing and steady pace and you have all the elements to make a wonderful novel! The author does a great job of illuminating the motives of each character and it's fascinating. I mean, poor Ishamel is motivated by lust and longing and regret and hatred which has led him to a dead-end in life until... well, you'll have to read the book to find out!