Guterson’s inspiration was further shaped by a class trip to an exhibit on Japanese American internment camps during World War II. This experience brought the historical injustices faced by Japanese Americans into sharp focus, motivating him to incorporate these themes into the novel.

Additionally, Guterson drew from personal influences, such as modeling the character Nels Gudmundsson on his father, a lawyer with strong moral convictions.

Japanese American Internment
A major theme is the forced removal and internment of Japanese American citizens during WWII, and the lasting trauma it inflicted on families like Kabuo's. The novel portrays the injustice of having their homes and livelihoods taken away solely due to their ancestry.

Love and Relationships
The novel explores a forbidden interracial love story between Ishmael Chambers, a white man, and Hatsue Imada, who is Japanese American and later becomes Kabuo's wife. Their relationship highlights the racial divides of the time.

Courtroom Drama
The murder trial of Kabuo Miyamoto serves as the central plot driver, with the novel delving into the evidence, witnesses, and legal proceedings through multiple perspectives.

Setting and Atmosphere
Guterson vividly depicts the rugged natural beauty of the fictional San Piedro Island setting, creating a rich sense of place that mirrors the turbulent human conflicts.

In summary, Snow Falling on Cedars tackles complex issues of racism, injustice towards Japanese Americans during WWII, tragic love stories, and courtroom proceedings, all set against the atmospheric backdrop of an isolated Pacific Northwest island community.

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The novel's structure, which interweaves past and present events, received praise for its complexity and how it gradually reveals the mystery at its core.

Readers and critics appreciated the novel's attention to historical detail, particularly its depiction of the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and its lasting impact on individuals and communities.

Overall, "Snow Falling on Cedars" is generally perceived as a poignant and thought-provoking work that skillfully combines a compelling narrative with deep social and emotional themes.