Guterson, David: *1956
Snow Falling on Cedars, 1994 - Language/Style
- English Language Level: Challenging
- Complex Sentence Structures – Guterson often uses long, multi-clause sentences that require careful reading to follow.
Literary and Descriptive Language – There’s a lot of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism, which adds depth but also difficulty.
Historical and Cultural References – The novel refers to World War II, Japanese-American internment, and regional history, which may need background knowledge to fully understand.
Shifts in Perspective and Time – The narrative moves between past and present and uses multiple character viewpoints, demanding close attention.
Nuanced Vocabulary – Some words and expressions are formal, archaic, or region-specific, requiring a higher level of English comprehension.
- Complex Sentence Structures – Guterson often uses long, multi-clause sentences that require careful reading to follow.
- It’s not just the words—it’s the structure, style, and context that make it harder to read.