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As a result of the intensity of the violence and sexual content in this novel, it has in some places been Banned . However, the book remains a popular novel in English classes at High School s across the United States . PLOT Set in the Fictional San Piedro Island off the Washington coast in the Pacific Northwest in 1954 , the plot revolves around the Murder case of Kabuo Miyamoto, a Japanese-American accused of killing Carl Heine, a respected Fisherman in the close-knit community. The trial occurs in the midst of deep Anti-Japanese Sentiments following World War II . Covering the case is the editor of the town's one-man newspaper, Ishmael Chambers, a World War II veteran who lost an arm fighting the Japanese. Torn by a sense of hatred to the Japanese , Chambers struggles with his powerful emotions of love for Kabuo's wife, Hatsue, also a Japanese-American, as well as his deep conscience knowing that Kabuo is truly innocent. Spearheading the prosecution efforts are the town's Sheriff , Art Moran, and Prosecutor , Alvin Hooks. Leading the defense is the old, experienced Nels Gudmundsson, who has been through a lot in life. An underlying Theme throughout the trial is Prejudice . Despite clear evidence proving Kabuo's innocence, several Witness es, including Etta Heine, Carl's mother, accuse Kabuo of murdering Carl for racial and personal reasons. Etta is the stereotypical anti-Japanese person; she represents the part of America that persecuted against the Japanese. This is not without a sense of irony, as Kabuo Miyamoto was prejudiced against because of his ancestory; the Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor . As Etta Heine is in fact a German, she could readily be blamed for her peoples' crimes. Also involved in the trial are Horace Whaley, the town Coroner , and Ole Jurgensen, an elderly man who sells his Strawberry field to Carl. The strawberry field is contested in the trial. The land was originally owned by Etta Heine's husband. Kabuo, as a child, and his family lived on the land and picked strawberries for Mr. Heine, Sr. Kabuo was a great friend of Carl; the two even gave each other fishing lines. Mr. Heine, Sr, respected the Japanese and sold the land to the Miyamoto family. However, the day before the last payment was to be made, the Japanese were forced to move to internment camps. Thus, all but one of the payments had been made to the Heines. After some years in the internment camp, Kabuo returned and found that Mr. Heine, Sr., had passed away and that Etta Heine had sold the land to Ole Jurgensen. Ole Jurgensen, in turn, sold the land back to Carl Heine, moments before Kabuo arrives to try to buy the land back. All this is considered in the trial, which was started when Carl Heine's body was found in his fishing net. His head had suffered an immense head wound, of which Kabuo is accused of bashing with a fishing gaff. In addition, Carl Heine's boat had all its lights on and bits of mooring rope from Kabuo's boat. Near the end, the biased jury is close to convicting Kabuo, who had lied to the jury pertaining to whether he boarded Carl Heine's boat. However, Ishmael finds documents showing that a huge Freighter had passed through the area, subsequently causing a huge wake. Ishmael now possesses this document proving Kabuo's innocence, but is torn between his love for Hatsue and his hatred of Kabuo for winning her, and his duty and conscience to show the documents to the judge. In the end, Ishmael gives the documents to Hatsue. Kabuo is then acquitted and released, and the town realizes that Kabuo is innocent. TITLE The title of the book comes from a heavy Snowstorm that delays the trial. In addition, San Piedro Island is heavily forested, including with Cedar trees. Also, the cedar tree was a special place between Hatsue and Ishmael when both were children. They would hide in the hollow tree and talk, often times unaware of the storm brewing around them. Once, Ishmael followed Hatsue from the cedar tree to Hatsue's house. Another time, there was a heavy snowstorm as Ishmael and Hatsue snuggled up in the tree. FILM ADAPTION See Also: Snow Falling on Cedars (film) The novel was adapted for the screen in the film of the same name. It opened in New York City , Los Angeles , and Toronto on December 22 , 1999, and opened across all of the United States and Canada on January 22 , 2000 . It was rated PG-13 . Scott Hicks was the co-screenwriter and Director ; Ron Bass was the co-screenwriter and Producer . Director of Photography Robert Richardson was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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