Charles Frazier's 1998 National Book Award winning novel, Cold Mountain, is more than just a love story.

North Carolina farmboy Inman and high society Charleston-bred Ada barely have time to start a romance before Inman is sent to fight in the American Civil War. Ada is left at home with a father who soon dies, forcing her to manage their large farm on her own.

Their stories are told in alternating chapters. Inman, wounded in the neck, undertakes a Homeric journey from a North Carolina hospital back to Cold Mountain, wondering if Ada will still want him. Along the way, he meets a diverse cast of characters and faces many difficult situations. Meanwhile, Ada enlists the help of Ruby, a wild young woman who is knowledgeable about survival.

Cold Mountain, in an odd way, reminds me of another novel, "Blindness." Both books are ultimately about the chaos and destruction that war brings. Inman realizes that war takes people out of the normal cycle of life and creates a season of its own. When the rules of society are suspended, bad things happen. However, there is also some good that comes out of the chaos. People become more self-reliant and learn to trust themselves. They form unlikely alliances and are able to love more freely.

Some people may find Inman's encounters boring, but I appreciate the details. The ending of the book is haunting and powerful, and it moved me to tears. This story and its characters really resonate with me.

This is an incredibly beautiful book.

It lags, but it lags magnificently. The descriptions within it are gorgeous, unravelling slowly and pulling you in with an almost irresistible charm.

The theme and scope of this book are very ambitious. It walks very close to a pompous historical masterpiece-wannabe. However, Frazier somehow manages to pull it off.

He produces a beautiful, tragic story about a soldier walking home to his beloved. The journey of the soldier is filled with hardships and challenges, but his love for his beloved keeps him going.

The story is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the human spirit. It is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

4.5 stars
When I first mentioned my plan to read Cold Mountain, various family members cautioned me that I probably wouldn't like it. They had seen the movie and were aware of my aversion to violence. In part, that's why my copy sat on my shelf, unread, for several years. However, recently, trusted Goodreads friends spoke highly of it, and I was determined to finally cross it off my list. As it turns out, it was far better than I had hoped and anticipated. Charles Frazier wrote an incredible debut novel, and I'm excited to discover what else he's written in the 21 years since its publication.

So, how did it measure up in terms of violence? Yes, there was most definitely a significant amount of violence in this book. But, for some reason, it didn't put me off. Given that it was set in 1864 during the Civil War, the violence was relevant. Moreover, it helped to emphasize (at least for me) the futility of war.

At its core, this was a love story between Inman and Ada, and the way they endured their individual experiences during their war-enforced separation. Their story was beautifully told, alternating between the two characters. After the death of her father, Ada feels completely unprepared for life on the land. When Ruby arrives to offer her assistance, Ada gratefully accepts, and a beautiful, lasting, and unlikely friendship blossoms. Inman's story begins as he recovers from near-fatal war wounds, and we follow his hardships as he traverses the harsh terrain on foot, internally driven by his desire to return to Ada, hoping she'll agree to marry him. It was no easy journey, and after four years apart, surrounded by death and dying, fighting and killing, Inman knows he is not the same man he once was. It's not only a story of love and friendship but also a tribute to nature. Charles Frazier's words allowed me to envision the beauty and ruggedness of the area and provided an insight into the living conditions and social norms of the 1860s.

This work of historical fiction was truly excellent, and I highly recommend it.
And another thing....In addition to reading, I listened to the audiobook during my commute and while running or working out. This was a great way to enhance the words I read with the sound of the local accents.
Finally, the cover was beautiful. Now, I'm wondering why I didn't rate it higher instead of lower.

For a detailed Hebrew review, link to my blog -

https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/cold...

This blog post provides a comprehensive look at the book "Cold Mountain" by Charles Frazier. The author delves into the story, characters, and themes, offering insights and analysis that will engage both fans of the book and those new to it.

The review is written in a clear and accessible style, making it easy for readers to follow along. Whether you're interested in the historical context of the novel, the relationships between the characters, or the author's writing style, this blog post has something for you.

So, if you're looking for a thought-provoking and informative review of "Cold Mountain," be sure to check out my blog. You won't be disappointed!

The best experience I ever had reading a book was truly remarkable.

I highly recommend reading it during the winter, although it can be enjoyed at any time. The winter when I read it was by far the coldest and saddest winter I have ever endured.

The book, which is set in the late 1800s, served as a powerful reminder that certain aspects of life remain constant regardless of the passage of time. Struggle, heartbreak, love, adversity, fear, uncertainty, and the unwavering human inclination to survive are just a few of these timeless themes.

Surprisingly, despite the heavy subject matter, this was not a depressing book. Instead, it instilled in me an unexpected and peculiar kind of faith in myself and perhaps, in the universe as a whole.

Moreover, Charles Frazier is the only writer who has managed to captivate me without ever having met or seen him. This is no small feat, in my opinion. His words have a unique charm and power that draw the reader in and leave a lasting impression.

I would encourage anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging read to pick up this book and experience it for themselves.

What an absolute abomination this is!

The only redeeming factor that might prevent it from being doomed to a single star rating is, well, at present I'm completely stumped as to what that could be. To be fair, I did manage a laugh when Ada got attacked by a rooster. However, the book seriously lacks a coherent and engaging story. It feels overly long and drawn out. Whoever thought it was a good idea to give Mr Frazier a thesaurus should really have a second thought. The excessive and often convoluted descriptions are so overwhelming that they make the reader want to give up on life itself.

Moreover, I'm left wondering why on earth this is being compared to The Odyssey. I simply cannot fathom how anyone could classify this as "literature". (I haven't seen the film yet, but perhaps it might be able to spark some interest. I can't help but have a sneaking suspicion that it would be dreadfully "Gone With The Wind"-esque, though.)

FURTHER COMMENT, MADE ON 21ST AUGUST 2008: "I got an A on my exam for this! HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!"

Melancholic, bleak, and stunningly violent, this book is a captivating narrative that delves into the lives of many bitter souls. It vividly portrays their grim existences, taking the reader on a journey through their hardships and struggles.

As the story progresses towards the end, it unfolds one of the most moving and tender love scenes, which has the power to touch the deepest recesses of the reader's heart.

Frazier's beautiful prose is truly a work of art. It gives the reader a perfect sense of place and time, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the story. The descriptions are so vivid that you can almost feel the cold mountain air and see the changing colors of the landscape.

I absolutely loved this book. It not only tells a compelling story but also offers profound insights into the human condition. The favorite quotes from the book further enhance its beauty and depth. They are thought-provoking and offer a glimpse into the author's unique perspective on life, love, and loss.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature. It will leave you with a lasting impression and a newfound appreciation for the power of words.

I really had a tough time when it came to deciding whether I should rate this as 3 stars or 4. After much deliberation, I finally decided to be a bit more lenient and go with 4 stars. I suppose this can be classified as a historical romance. When it comes to the historical aspect, there isn't a whole lot in here that I wasn't already aware of. However, it was still an enjoyable read. I could pretty much predict the ending from a great distance, but then again, it wasn't supposed to be a mystery, so that's okay with me. I think the author did a decent job of creating an engaging story within the framework of a historical setting. The characters were somewhat likable, and the plot had enough twists and turns to keep me interested throughout. Overall, it was a pleasant way to spend some time.

Perhaps the most beautifully haunting book I've ever read.

This might sound weird or cheesy, but it truly felt like I was immersed in a painting rather than just reading a book.

The author has an incredible talent for matter-of-factly conveying the feel of the time, without being dry or preachy.

I was thoroughly impressed.

Even the long descriptions of scenery and such didn't manage to distract or bore me.

However, I wouldn't recommend this book to those who only care about plot/action, want a quick shallow read, or don't appreciate interesting stories that don't directly contribute to the plot.

The one very slight aspect that didn't quite meet my expectations was that Inman and Ada rarely thought about each other in their separate points of view (even though Inman claims he did).

The book wasn't as romantic as the inside flap summary seemed to suggest, but every time Ada and Inman shared a scene or memory, I wanted to squeal with joy.

Oh, and I can't imagine how they managed to turn this into a movie without losing some of its essence and introspection, but I'm still interested in watching it.

WAIT lastly (this might be a spoiler???) WHO WAS THE 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN THE EPILOGUE?? WHO WAS HER FATHER?@?@?@?@?@???IS IT WHO I HOPE IT IS%$#@%#$@^&^$%%$#$#@

3.5 stars - It was really good.

Just like on the big movie screen, Ruby's character truly stole every single scene within the pages of this book. I found great enjoyment in the way her characterization was so incredibly vivid and truly memorable. Moreover, I also deeply appreciated the remarkable atmospheric quality that this novel managed to hold. It was as if the story was able to transport me right into its own unique world.

Ordinarily, when the author narrates their own book, it really adds an extra special spark to the overall story. However, in this particular case, I sincerely wish that the publisher would have made use of a professional narrator. If I had read this book in the traditional way instead of listening to it in audiobook format, it might very well have resulted in a higher rating. The author reads in a very rhythmic, yet monotonous tone that remains completely unwavering no matter what is currently unfolding and developing in the plot. This unfortunately detracts significantly from the story and makes it a bit less engaging than it could have been.

I am really looking forward to reading other books by this author, especially Nightwoods. I would still recommend this book as well, but I would highly suggest skipping the audiobook version and opting for the traditional printed or e-book format instead.
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Favorite Quote: As was true of all human effort, there was never advancement. Everything added meant something lost, and about as often as not the thing lost was preferable to the thing gained, so that over time we'd be lucky if we just broke even. Any thought otherwise was empty pride.

First Sentence: At the first gesture of morning, flies began stirring.

What an entirely different experience rereading this!

At 28, I had intellectualized it, fully appreciating the vivid literary value and the ode to Homer's Odyssey. The words seemed to dance on the page, and I was captivated by the beauty of the language and the artistry of the storytelling.

However, at 50, my perspective had changed. I had less tolerance for the languid prose. Instead, I experienced this book from a deeper place. I found myself more appreciative of the gorgeous reflections about life itself and the reality of our Civil War told from an entirely different point of view.

This time around, I didn't just read the words; I felt them. The emotions and the themes jumped off the page and into my heart.

Prior review: Read this years ago and fell in love. It had beautiful writing, a beautiful portrayal of Homer's Odyssey, beautiful symbolism, and so much more. I loaned my dog-eared, marked-in-margins copy to a friend, never to be seen again. I hope it's enjoying its own Odyssey!

Oh my goodness!

This book is truly remarkable. It is quiet, with a slow pace that gradually draws you in. It is heartbreaking, yet it remains one of the most beautiful books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

I am not entirely sure what it was that captured me so completely when I first read it all those years ago as a high schooler. Was it the melodrama that added an element of excitement and passion? Or perhaps it was the tragic love story at the center, which tugged at my heartstrings? Maybe it was the vivid descriptions of time and place that painted a picture in my mind and made me feel as if I was there. Or could it have been the beautiful writing itself, with its lyrical prose and carefully chosen words?

Whatever it was, I am so glad that I loved it so much back then. It has stayed with me all these years, and that is why I was compelled to pick it up again now. It is not an easy read, by any stretch of the imagination. But it is most definitely gorgeous, and I know that I will cherish it for many years to come.