Comparison of the novel and cinematographic versions of The Snow that Falls on the CedarsIt is not an easy task to create a work - through writing or the film - which has an impact on society. Writing involves discussing and analyzing a relevant topic that will have an impact on readers. It is also necessary to present stunning sensory images through words to create a complete understanding for the reader. In film it is not much different, but there must be striking visual images combined with a suitable musical score in order to give the film viewer a complete experience. There must also be historical accuracy, both in writing and filmmaking. In either case, it can take years to create such a captivating work. David Guterson's novel Snow Falling on Cedars and its film counterpart of the same name combine all aspects of good writing and good filmmaking to create an emotionally provocative and historically accurate masterpiece. The story of Snow Falling on Cedars takes place on a fictional island called San Piedro, somewhere in the Puget Sound region. The island has a long history of generations of prejudice masked by the lives of immigrant strawberry farmers. The island was home to descendants of German, Swedish, English and Japanese ancestry. When World War II broke out, the population immediately panicked and reacted badly towards American citizens of Japanese ancestry. The story follows the lives of these Japanese Americans through their painful internment by the U.S. government for what they call the "good of the union." The story also centers on several other subplots, including a biracial romance between a young couple, as well as the death of a White Islands fisherman named Carl Heine, Jr., and the Trial of Japan...... middle of paper ......racy and causes the reader or viewer to develop an intense emotional involvement in the storyline. Both the novel and the film are remarkably vivid through the use of imagery and themes. The snow falling on the cedars, as the dominant image in both versions, functions as a beautiful metaphor demanding interpretation. Themes about the complexities of the human heart and the random distribution of good and bad fortune are reinforced throughout each work. The original work of pure genius - the novel, of course - deserves credit for the incredible story behind Snow That Falls on the Cedars, but it's clear that the film has followed the path of its antecedent with ease. Works Cited Guterson, David. Snow is falling on the cedars. New York: Vintage Books, 1995. Snow falls on the cedars. Screenplay by Ron Bass and Scott Hicks, Universal Pictures, 1999.