I read this book for my English literature A level.

At first glance, it wasn't a terrible read. However, I didn't find it to be the most exciting or engaging work.

The pacing of the story was rather slow for my personal taste. It seemed to unfold at a leisurely pace, which at times made it a bit of a struggle to stay fully invested.

Nonetheless, I could understand why another person might have a different perspective and actually like it.

Perhaps they appreciate a more deliberate and detailed exploration of the themes and characters.

Everyone has their own reading preferences, and what might not work for me could be a captivating experience for someone else.

Overall, while this book didn't quite hit the mark for me, I can still respect the qualities that others might find appealing.

I nearly plucked my own eyes from my skull in frustration.



The dullness was truly like another character in the story. It was as if it was grimly tugging at my sleeve, determined to expound at length on the state of its bunion. And it went on and on about what this bunion meant in relation to the larger struggle of humanity to achieve some fool thing or another. It was all so mind-numbingly tedious. The pace was very, very slow, as if time itself had come to a near standstill. I found myself constantly fighting the urge to simply give up and walk away from this never-ending droning. It was a test of my patience and sanity, and I wasn't sure how much more I could take.

Inman and the Goat Woman is an extraordinary story that contains one of my all-time favorite passages. The interaction between them is truly captivating. Inman, a Confederate soldier, meets the Goat Woman in the mountains. Their dialogue is filled with mystery and a hint of the unknown.

The Goat Woman seems to have a special connection with the natural world, and her words leave Inman pondering. Their encounter is like a moment out of time, suspended in the midst of war and chaos.

The ending of the story is cinematic, as if it were taken from the screen of a movie. It brings a sense of closure and resolution, yet also leaves room for the reader to imagine what might come next for Inman and the Goat Woman.

Overall, this story is a beautiful and unforgettable piece of literature that showcases the power of words and the magic of a well-told tale.

The best way I could find to describe the book is as the American Civil War version of the Odyssey. In it, Inman is like the wandering hero, striving to find his way back home to the North Carolina Appalachians, while Ada is his Penelope, tending the home fires. This is an oversimplification, but the epic scope is truly there. There's the perilous journey, the oddball characters met on the road, the mystical elements of prophecy, cursed fate, and faithful love. Additionally, major themes such as the brutality and senselessness of war, women's emancipation, the Native American (Cherokee) Trail of Tears, music as a soul healer, and the majesty of nature are tackled.
Inman, a young man born and raised in the high country at the foot of Cold Mountain, goes to war not out of patriotism or political conviction, but in search of adventure. However, the four years in the trenches cure him of any romantic notions about organized killing, leaving him severely wounded and spiritually crushed. His only comfort in the long weeks in the hospital is a travel book about the mountains back home. As a deserter, he has to hide during the day and walk at night, stealing food and fighting his way free from local militias. The destruction of his character is evident in his "kill or be killed" mindset.
Ada, on the other hand, is a preacher's daughter from Charleston who moves to the mountains hoping her father's illness will improve. When he dies, she is left alone on the farm, helpless to fend for herself. She is a product of Victorian morals and the fetish for women as delicate hothouse flowers. With the help of Ruby, a local girl, Ada gradually learns to take care of herself and becomes interested in the forms of life around her.
A third storyline is introduced later, involving Ruby's father Stobrod. Initially presented as a lowlife rascal, he is changed by his experiences in the war, especially through his discovery of the power of music.
I will stop here to avoid spoiling the ending, but I will say that I liked the book better than the movie. The movie focused too much on Ada and Ruby and not enough on Inman's troubles on the road. However, it was a faithful adaptation, and it was filmed in a beautiful area that added to the appeal of the story.
Overall, I had a few minor issues with the book, such as the slow pacing and Inman's surprisingly high level of literacy given his modest origins. But the superb prose of Frasier more than made up for these shortcomings. If you're a lover of nature and introspective historical fiction, I highly recommend this book. Just don't expect a fast-paced adventure. As Ada says in the book, using a Wordsworth quote, "Earth has not anything to show more fair. Dull would be the soul who could pass by a sight so touching in its majesty."

link to a gallery of my mountain photos:
mountain views

Solid, not spectacular. I assume the novel is closer to the American population considering the theme is the Civil War (the second half of the 19th century) and desertion, but it is also digestible for the rest of the readership. Probably the film (2003, with Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renée Zellweger, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Donald Sutherland... So, a classic Hollywood product that, for the sake of spectacle, made certain changes that are not in the book at all and that perhaps brought drama to the film but lost in fidelity - for example, Sara was not actually forced and Sally's and Esco's sons did not return home...).

Generally, the book bored me, and I just couldn't bring it to an end. It is written fluidly and is actually easy to follow, but it just didn't really interest me. The narration of Inman's events as he, as a wounded and deserter, tries to return to Ada and Ada's adventures on the farm... It's all like okay, okay, let's go on, let's go on... Basically, here I am sitting and writing and I'm happy that I closed the last page and that it won't be waiting for me tomorrow. It's a pass - more as my personal experience than that the book really wasn't worth it. I allow that some are enamored with it

I really hated this book. Is that said clearly enough? I deliberately put off writing the review because I'm fully aware that many others will hold a different opinion. It's not that the book isn't written skillfully, nor is it that the characters are poorly developed. In the words of a friend of mine when her husband convinced her to read it, "Why would I like this thing?"

Some people will definitely not agree with me, and that's okay. However, I have endured relatively difficult times in my life. I've lost beloved family members, and I've strived hard for something only to see it fail. These experiences are not what I consider as leisure time activities. When I spend my money on a novel, I'm not seeking nihilism. This book belongs to the category of "life is hard and then you die" school.

So, if you're sitting there believing that "great art" always portrays pain, then this is the book for you. Apparently, some movie makers share this view, but I don't. I gave it only 1 star. Although there are some well-written parts in it, for me, the rest just isn't worth it. If it suits your taste, then by all means, enjoy it.

I firmly believe that the majority of Literature Authors have an inherent inclination to shun happy endings. They seem to be driven by the fear that by presenting a cheerful conclusion, they might somehow undermine their standing as respected Authors of Literature. As if happiness has no place within the realm of Literature. It's as if Frazier penned this book, and then, in a moment of doubt, thought to himself, "Oh dear, I'll never be able to claim the National Book Award with this." And thus, he appended a nasty, utterly pointless death in the coda, almost like a cheap shot.

Believe me when I say that there is already an abundance of nasty, pointless misery permeating this book even before the coda. It's not as if the absence of this particular ending would have left the book devoid of darkness. Without that final chapter, I found the book to be a deeply moving and beautiful narrative that explored the concept of endurance in the face of a fickle and brutal fate. However, with the addition of that ending, the entire essence, as far as I'm concerned, boiled down to this: fate is indeed fickle and brutal. End of story. I truly wish I had ceased reading just 10 pages before the conclusion. I cannot emphasize enough how much this ending repulsed me. So, I urge you to approach this book with caution. It is beautifully written, moving, and evocative of a bygone era. But be prepared, for the ending might just make you want to bang your head on the table in frustration.

Why is this soooooo slow?

It feels like time is just dragging on and on. This one was a struggle indeed. I found myself getting bored easily.

To be fair, it does get better at times. The base plotline is actually quite great. There are important characters involved, and the story has the potential to be really engaging. However, the pacing is a major issue. By the time anything significant happens, I've already lost interest.

Overall, I would rate this as 3 Stars. It has its good points, but the slow pacing really detracts from the overall experience.

I read this book before the movie was planned (at least to my knowledge), and I loved it from the very beginning.

It probably isn't the type of book you can read with lots of distractions around you. Instead, it requires a quiet setting where you can fully immerse yourself in the beautiful writing.

The story is set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, and it tells the tale of the Civil War as it relates to the lives of those who live in this rural area. It shows the devastating effect that the war has on everyone.

However, the story is much more than just about the despair of the seemingly endless days until Inman returns. It is also about love, forgiveness, and hope. These themes are woven throughout the story, giving it depth and meaning.

Overall, this book is a beautiful and poignant read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or stories about love and redemption.

This is a book that moves at an extremely slow pace. It simply didn't appeal to me.

I chose to listen to it on Audible, and the narrator, who I later discovered is the author himself, had a very pleasant reading voice.

There were a couple of scenes that managed to pique my interest, but for the most part, I found myself just sitting there, waiting impatiently for something significant to occur.

Thankfully, the ending was rather nice, which is why I'm awarding it two stars.

All in all, while the book had its moments, the overall experience was somewhat lackluster due to its sluggish pace. It might be more suited for those who enjoy a more leisurely and contemplative read, but for me, it just didn't quite hit the mark.

Cold Mountain is quite possibly the most beautiful book that I've ever read.

It's not for the faint of heart, however. Frazier takes his time with his descriptions of the landscape and the people. Inman, a soldier broken in spirit by the futility and waste of the Civil War, decides to walk home to Ada and his beloved Cold Mountain. This requires a great deal of patience from the reader.

That is not to say that Frazier wastes the reader's time or goes off on unnecessary tangents. For those who like quick narratives, it may seem that way. But he is in no hurry to rush the novel to its conclusion. To have done so would have stripped the novel of its power as it examines the lives of both Inman and Ada.

Ada, a Southern belle, is woefully unprepared to exist in the harsh mountain landscape of Cold Mountain when she finds herself all alone. What may seem like lengthy transcendentalist-like descriptions of nature actually serve to reveal the inner life of each character and enrich the narrative.

Of the two alternating narratives, I found Inman's the most compelling. His is a Dante-like journey through the "Inferno" of the American South. He encounters people wallowing in depravity and sin in a seemingly lawless world. But he also encounters acts of selflessness and kindness. These acts serve as balm to his soul when he's on the cusp of losing all hope.

Ironically, those offering the greatest kindnesses are those who are the most excluded from society (slaves and women). Inman is a man who is capable of violence, but only when necessary. After killing indiscriminately in war, he's determined to do no harm unless it's absolutely unavoidable. It may be because of the violence that is still latent within him that Inman struggles so with the world and his place in it.

Of the reviews I've read, most readers disliked the novel's ending. Without giving away any spoilers, I'll only state that I thought the ending was the only possible one offered in a world consumed by war.

Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder

❥ 3 / 5 stars

I'm truly sorry to Inman and Ada, but I have to admit that in this book, the most interesting and impressive character is Ruby. Ruby brings a unique energy and charm to the story. Her independent spirit and practical nature make her stand out. She has a no-nonsense attitude that often cuts through the fluff and gets to the heart of the matter. While Inman and Ada have their own storylines and development, it is Ruby who captures my attention time and time again. Her actions and decisions are always unpredictable, which keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. I can't help but be drawn to her character and the way she navigates through life. Overall, although the book has its strengths in other areas, it is Ruby who makes it truly memorable for me.