In Snow Falling on the Cedars by David Guterson, the sudden and mysterious death of Carl Heine creates a rift in the racially tense island of San Piedro. Though many other characters had the motive to kill Carl, the suspicious events surrounding Carl’s death point to a Japanese fisherman, Kabuo Miyamoto. The mystery of Carl’s death and the trial that follows Carl’s death enhance the novel by identifying the theme of the struggle between free will and fate.
As the mystery of Carl’s death thickens on the witness stand, the trail exposes Ishmael’s and Hatsue’s love affair when they were younger and their constant struggle between free will and fate through flashbacks. Despite their differing backgrounds, the two become quick friends and eventually