Snow Falling on Cedars

by David Guterson

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Chapters 23-32 Summary

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As the trial draws to its dramatic conclusion, Ishmael finds himself at the lonely beacon of the lighthouse, hunting down crucial weather data for the newspaper. There, he stumbles upon the watchman’s log from the fateful night of Carl’s demise. These notes hold the potential to clear Kabuo of all charges. It turns out a massive freighter had cruised past Carl’s fishing vessel, unleashing a formidable wave that could easily have swept a man into the sea. Ishmael clutches these vital notes, wrestling with the choice to either unveil his revelation or let it remain hidden. A lingering hope festers within him, dreaming that if Kabuo were condemned to imprisonment or worse, he might have a chance to reclaim Hatsue's heart.

Meanwhile, the jury grapples with their decision, teetering on the edge of a verdict, with eleven members convinced of guilt and one clinging to the thread of reasonable doubt. At this pivotal moment, Ishmael decides to disclose the truth hidden within the notes. As a result, the jury is disbanded, Kabuo is liberated, and Ishmael is freed to envision a fresh start. He slowly reconciles with the shadows of his past and begins casting his gaze toward the promise of tomorrow.

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Chapters 12-22 Summary

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