Rating: 
Summary: Good writing, theme, characterization, but excessive descrip
Review: The writing is smooth, relaxing Guterson, but the story falls far short of "Snow Falling.." Way too much description of the country and landscape around Wenatchee. In a story of peregrinations, the author can confuse the reader by so many places where things take place. The theme, a man intending suicide, has his mind changed by events, a good one, and effective here. But I thought the book tended to be too padded with travelogue, names of rivers, highways, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Big Letdown
Review: His first book, Snow Falling on Cedars, was terrific and one of my all time favorites. This one falls flat and disappointing -- and would be so even without comparison to his first book. Save your money. A major weakness is the Army/combat stuff, which was also the major weakness of his first book. Like a lot of Boomers he has no experience of war, and the scenes ring hollow -- at least to one who has had that experience. Hope his third book will be back up to standard
Rating:
Summary: Nice try but no cigar.
Review: After reading the great new novel, The Triumph and the Glory, I was looking forward to another memorable experience with East of the Mountains because I'd loved Snow Falling on Cedars so much. But this new one from Guterson just fell flat for me. I just couldn't accept the main character's motivations as believeable, and that will pretty much destroy a novel.
Rating: 
Summary: A waste of time and money
Review: Reading this book is mental torture. The plot, if there is one, moves at a snail's pace. The characters are wooden and forgettable. A major disapointment.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful story, great issues
Review: Having grown up in the San Juan Islands (Anacortes) and gone to college "East of the Mountains" in Spokane, and lived for a while in Seattle, I really could identify with the landscapes depicted here. I've made the journey back and forth over the mountains many times.Those not from Washington State would have a hard time understanding the Great Divide those mountains represent -- how different in terrain, climate, atmosphere, attitudes the two regions -- (W. and E. Washington)-- really are). W. Washington is lush and temperate, E. Washington dry, seemingly empty, and rather harsh. I thought Guterson used this dichotomy to good effect in exploring the journey Ben Givens goes on as he plans his suicide in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis. The journey becomes a confused wandering, a temporary exile, and a true ordeal for Ben. Perhaps something similar to a "vision quest" that a Native American youth might undertaken to "find himself" and his true place in the universe. Typical of someone from Ben's WWII generation (in my baby boomer opinion), he had not "found himself" even in his 70s, and had disdained such a quest before in his life. As was so apparent in "Snow Falling on Cedars," Guterson writes with incredible elegance, precision, and appreciation for the landscapes and cultures he depicts -- the deserts and hills, the apple orchards and workers, the small town denizens of E. Wash. Guterson's use of imagery was skillful and affecting. He parallels Ben's journey in the Italian mountains during WWII with this last journey in E. Washington; even his carrying and caring for a wounded comrade then, and a wounded canine companion now. I thought Ben Givens truly did reach a peaceful resolution, wherein he accepted he would surrender control over his circumstances and destiny, and the "tactics" of his life. Give himself over to a more natural process of dying, within the context of his loving relationships with his daughter and grandson. He would surrender to a certain mystery and fate, instead of manipulating his own death as he had learned to manipulate people's physical healing in his years as a surgeon. The book raises some questions about facing death (and I suppose facing life) that led to some quite nice discussion in my book group.
Rating: 
Summary: A memorable "Gormet Meal"
Review: Like the author's "Snow Falling on Cedars", I enjoyed this book immensely. I have read many books I've "devoured" but quickly forgotten. This story is so real and profound that I became immersed with it and probably found it interesting for many reasons, two of which, are because I'm from the state of Washington and recognized the towns, names of mountains (like Mount Si, in North Bend which I have climbed) to the profound story of the character of Ben Givens. His past memories of the simple but hard life, however, loved and valued by him, reminded me somewhat of my own. Not having the experience of being in the military, I nevertheless, found the war and his feelings and experiences of it horrifyingly graphic and real. His nonjudmental attitude of other people, his physical vulnerability was also very realistic. As a human being, this story depicts the "soul" that does not age, even as our body does. The eternal questions about death and dying were achingly apparent in this story. For a young author to understand humanity in this way, that life is fragile but the human spirit inherently courageous, is refreshing. This book will make a wonderful movie and it will be placed among my other "treasures" to be read again someday.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing and just plain awful...a waste of time
Review: I loved his first book, and living in Seattle, I eagerly anticipated this book. That Ben is a doctor who saves lives and heals, and then finds joy in the senseless killing and destruction of nature's creatures did not mesh well with me. Add that to the fact the story was lifeless, characters wooden and interchangeable...I didn't finish the book because quite frankly, I couldn't care less whether he lived or died.
Rating:
Summary: A disappointment
Review: Way too much hunting. Some lovely descriptions but writing generally wooden. Unconvincing ending. Last but not least -- painful to read for anyone who loves dogs.
Rating:
Summary: Boring!
Review: I was very disappointed with this book. I thought David Guterson had so much talent in "Snow Falling on Cedars", which is what drew me to purchase his new book. I was wrong! This story was SO BORING, with no reason for me to continue after page 30.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful.
Review: East of the Mountains held me. I found myself staying up through the night to read - a pleasure that few books can bring me to. Absolutely beautiful.
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