Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier is a captivating novel that follows the story of Inman, an injured Civil War soldier.

Inman deserts the army and undertakes a arduous journey back home to be reunited with Ada, the woman he deeply loves. The novel skillfully intertwines their stories, painting a vivid picture of their pasts, the diverse people they encounter, and the numerous obstacles they have to overcome. It is not just a physical journey but also one of profound personal growth.

Inman has to battle against the harsh elements of nature. Despite having witnessed and even committed war atrocities, he still strives for fairness, facing trials that seem like a descent through the levels of hell.

Ada, on the other hand, experiences a significant transformation after her father's death. With the help of Ruby, who provides blunt guidance through life's challenges, Ada evolves from a lady of leisure to a hardworking farmer. Her physical transformation is a reflection of her inner growth.

Nature is a recurring theme throughout the novel, enriching the narrative with symbolic and mythical connections. This makes it an excellent choice for book clubs, as it offers ample opportunities for in-depth discussions about its deeper meanings. Cold Mountain is highly recommended for its epic and descriptive storytelling that will transport readers into a world of love, war, and personal transformation.

When I was pondering what to say about The Namesake, which I held in high regard, I began to muse that perhaps we require an asterisk for those books that are truly extraordinary to us, that completely bowl us over.

I am aware that one of the reasons why some books have such an impact is related to a particular period in our lives. Books like the Alexandria Quartet, which had that effect on me in the past, I haven't revisited since I was in my 20's. However, there are others that I return to time and time again. Cold Mountain is one such example. (Alongside Bel Canto, The Fountain Overflows, and The Golden Compass)

This is probably my third reading of Cold Mountain, and it seemed like a natural continuation of our spring break journey to the Smokies. We were there, or almost. After having been in the Blue Ridge Mountains and then reading it, I felt that I could envision what Charles Frazier was描绘ing, whereas before I could only see the characters and their development.

I know that a book will be significant to me when I start to slow down as I approach the end. I simply don't want to bid farewell to these characters.

And then she thought that you went on living one day after another.

Day by day, the passage of time was inevitable.

As the days accumulated, in time, you were somebody else.

Your previous self was only like a close relative, perhaps a sister or brother.

With this past self, you shared a history, a set of experiences that had shaped you.

But as the present marched forward, that former self seemed to recede into the background.

It was as if you were evolving into a new being, with new perspectives and new ways of looking at the world.

And yet, that connection to the past self remained, a reminder of where you had come from and how far you had traveled.

She wondered what the future would hold for this new self that was emerging, and how it would continue to change and grow.

Would it still have traces of that original self, or would it become an entirely different person?

These thoughts swirled in her mind as she contemplated the nature of identity and the passage of time.

I firmly believed that I had a good sense of when to abandon a book. However, it turns out that I still have a long way to go in this regard. I spent several weeks engrossed in this extremely dull book, constantly hoping and waiting for something exciting to occur.

But now, I am extremely angry with myself. I feel that I have squandered my precious reading time on this uninteresting piece of literature.

I should have recognized its lackluster nature earlier and moved on to a more engaging and worthwhile book.

This experience has taught me that I need to be more discerning in my book choices and not waste time on those that fail to capture my attention and interest.

In the future, I will be more decisive and not let myself get stuck in a book that offers little value or enjoyment.

That's not a thing any of us are granted.

To go back in time, wipe away what later doesn't suit us and make it the way we wish.

It's an impossible dream that haunts us all.

But as the saying goes, "You just go on."

This book is a beautiful, terrible, vaguely magical masterpiece.

It takes us on a journey through the human psyche, exploring the depths of our desires, fears, and regrets.

The writing is so vivid that we can almost feel the emotions of the characters as if they were our own.

It's a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think long after you've turned the last page.

Whether you're a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book is a must-read.

It's a work of art that will stay with you forever.

This is an award-winning modern classic, skillfully written by Charles Frazier. As a native of the Carolina Mountains, he provides rich detail of the terrain.

It's the story of Inman, a wounded soldier who escapes from a field hospital and walks away from the Civil War. He makes his way through the war-torn and soon-to-be defeated South to return to Cold Mountain and Ada, his sweetheart. Meanwhile, Ada and Ruby, a feisty drifter, try to revive her father's farm, which has gone to ruin after his death.

An underlying theme of the book is the futility of war. As Inman travels, and indeed right until the end of the book, he never quite knows if those he encounters are friend or foe. There is a passage in the book that alludes to the thought that if some of the confused men here don't actually kill each other during the war, they may someday be sitting together having a drink.

4 stars - reread for OTSLT 2/18. This book offers a poignant and vivid portrayal of the hardships and uncertainties of war, as well as the power of love and the struggle for survival in a changing world. It is a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction or the human experience during times of conflict.

**Title: Review to Come**

In the world of literature and various forms of media, reviews play a crucial role. They provide valuable insights and evaluations that can influence the decisions of readers, viewers, or consumers. A review is not just a simple opinion but a detailed analysis that takes into account multiple aspects such as the quality of the content, the writing style, the plot or concept, and the overall impact.

When a review is forthcoming, it creates a sense of anticipation. People eagerly await to hear what others have to say about a particular work. It could be a highly anticipated book, a new movie release, or a product that has generated a lot of buzz. The review has the power to either build up or tear down the reputation of the subject being reviewed.

However, it's important to remember that reviews are subjective. What one person may love, another may hate. Therefore, it's essential to consider multiple reviews and form our own opinions. A good review should be fair, balanced, and provide enough evidence to support the claims made. It should also offer suggestions for improvement or areas where the work excels.

So, as we wait for the review to come, let's keep an open mind and be ready to embrace the different perspectives that it may bring. Whether it's positive or negative, it can help us make more informed decisions and enhance our understanding and appreciation of the subject at hand.

This book was truly flowing like a dream.

It was slow-paced, yet beautiful and extremely descriptive. Cold Mountain is an odyssey that takes one through nature, revealing just how cruel life can be and what it takes to survive.

I am still in the process of processing all the emotions that this book evoked within me. I don't really feel the need to go deeper into it at the moment. This is just a book that requires you to immerse yourself and experience the journey on your own.

However, I do wish the epilogue wasn't included. The ambiguous ending was perfect as it was, and the addition of the epilogue slightly ruined my perspective.

Nevertheless, the writing is truly sublime. It really calls for a second, more attentive read to fully enjoy it the second time around. The story of Ada and Inman will stay with me for a long time.

Thanks a lot, Peter, for recommending this very poetic book to me!

I had read this particular book several years ago. At that time, it left a profound impression on me. Recently, I decided to pick it up again and give it another read.

It is truly a great book. The writing is extremely excellent, vividly描绘ing the deep emotions of deprivation, grief, and the hazy fog that must have blanketed the people during the Civil War.

The author has a remarkable ability to bring the historical events and the emotions of the characters to life. The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.

This book is definitely one of the top historical fiction novels that I have ever read. It not only provides a captivating story but also offers a deeper understanding of the historical context and the human experience during that tumultuous period.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in history, fiction, or both. It is a must-read for those who want to explore the rich and complex world of historical fiction.

\\n  \\"Be strong, saith my heart; I am a soldier; I have seen worse sights than this.\\"\\n
—Homer, The Odyssey


I have recently delved into The Odyssey, and was inspired by my Goodreads friend, @JulieGrippo, to embark on this particular journey. It's Homer's epic adventure transplanted to the landscape of 19th-century North America.

Inman, not as heroic as Odysseus, is an army deserter wounded in the American Civil War. He faces a perilous and seemingly endless journey back home to his beloved, Ada (thus, Odysseus’s Penelope).

You can tell from my five-star rating that I was completely enthralled by this book. However, it could just as easily have been downgraded to three stars as it nearly got tripped up by its own overly poetic prose.

So, let me just air my two gripes first, and then we can all relax and enjoy a nice cup of tea…
Gripe #1
One of my pet peeves is coming across dialogue that isn't neatly enclosed within proper speech marks. Why, Charles Frazier? Why? They were clearly good enough for Dickens, Hugo, and Dostoyevsky. But for some artistic reason, you didn't think they were necessary. Of course, the more enlightened readers among us can manage without them. But if we apply the same logic, why bother with commas and full stops? In fact, let's go all the way and get rid of vowels too! Huh! Those pesky vowels, making words much longer than they need to be!
Gripe #2
More than most, I have a weakness for a feast of luxurious prose. Frazier writes beautifully, and it was as if songbirds landed on my shoulders while I was reading, just like a dreamy scene from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Everything seemed perfect in my world. But, my goodness, the pretentiousness! Surely, he didn't have to stuff every single paragraph with such lofty language that it was about to burst at the seams! The high-quality prose, although admirable, did slow down the pace of my reading and reduced the narrative drive of the story.

Ahhh, doesn't it feel great to get things off one's chest? So, how about that nice cup of tea... Do you take milk and sugar?

Despite my two gripes, the story is a magnificent epic that deserves the highest praise. It is evocative and monumental, handling weighty themes of love, resilience, honor, and devotion with great confidence. Granted, it doesn't flow as smoothly as a cold mountain stream, but you won't often encounter writing of this caliber in our modern era.

A friend loaned me this hard cover book “Cold Mountain” by Charles Frazier.

Apparently, it was on the New York Times best selling list back in 1997 and won many awards. Somehow, I missed it at the time.

The book tells the story of a Civil War soldier's arduous journey back to his family at the end of the war. Our protagonist is a Confederate soldier named Inman, who was wounded at the battle of Petersburg. He resolves to walk all the way to his home in the Blue Ridge Mountain to be with Ada, the woman he loves deeply. However, he has to traverse the disintegrating South, which turns out to be a harrowing ordeal.

The book is exquisitely written. Frazier's eloquent language makes it a pleasure to read. With an average length of 356 pages, Frazier takes his time to vividly describe the landscapes and people. I'm aware that the book won numerous awards, but truth be told, I wouldn't have shelled out the money to buy it. I read it solely because it was loaned to me as part of a discussion group (less formal than a book club).

Nonetheless, having read it, I can appreciate the beauty and depth of Frazier's storytelling. It offers a poignant and detailed look into a tumultuous period of American history and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity.

This was my second time reading this, and it is still an enjoyable read.

There is an abundance of detail, such that you could read it several times and glean something new each time.

I have come across reviews stating that there is an excessive amount of detail, but I firmly believe that if you take your time and immerse yourself in the reading, the details are truly worthwhile.

The descriptions of the outdoors are simply superb. If you have ever visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you will have the distinct feeling of revisiting it all over again.

The life these people led during this time period, specifically at the end of the Civil War, was extremely arduous. This book offers a profound appreciation of the daily hardships they endured.

I would say it makes me truly value the ease with which we can obtain things that they had to struggle so hard for.

The characters are excellent, and the majority of this book falls under the category of historical fiction. Inman's struggle throughout the book is remarkable, and you will find yourself rooting for him on his journey.

Certain aspects of this life are appealing, in that they were not distracted by modern conveniences like TV, cell phones, tablets, and the like, allowing them to fully enjoy the natural beauty of their surroundings.

Would I be willing to give up modern healthcare, technology, and modern stores to live the life they had? It is a question that I grapple with, and I wonder if I would have led a happier life then or now.

Anyone with an interest in understanding how farm life or mountain life was back then would undoubtedly enjoy this book.