Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Cold Mountain
Book Review: Careful use of language
Summary: 4 Stars
Probably the outstanding element of Cold Mountain, in addition to the actual Civil War tale of desertion and wandering home to a beloved, is Frazier's use of language which reflects both the era and the region. History is more than a list of dates and events divorced from humans who are living those elements. Our Reader's Group shared a number of words we remembered our parents or grandparents using which we no longer use, e.g. my grandmother referred to her black skillet as a "spider." This, I learned, came from the legs once used on such pans for cooking in a fireplace. Language has its own romance which can enhance a good tale.Book Review: Cold Mountain
Summary: 5 Stars
Even rustic Cold Mountain, NC feels the cold embrace of the Civil War and most of its young men answer the call to fight. Some of the more hardened stay behind and form the Home Guard, which amounts to nothing more than a group of violent men intent on delivering their own brand of justice to those they call outliers, deserters of the war.
This is the story of two people in Cold Mountain who meet, are separated by the war, and meet again, both drastically changed by the hardships they've endured. Inman, a Confederate soldier, walks away from the hospital where he's being treated for a near-fatal wound and begins his long journey to reach Ada, the one woman he hopes can save him from his despair over humanity. Ada Monroe is a socialite whose preacher father took her to the isolated backcountry of Cold Mountain, NC. When Ada's father dies shortly after the war begins, she finds herself alone and destitute. To her rescue comes Ruby, a homeless young woman who lives her life relying on natural signs. Ruby teaches Ada many life lessons, foremost of which, how to survive on her own.
While working his way back to Ada, Inman encounters every sort of danger imaginable, from men intent on killing him to wild animals. Ada encounters her own hardships, from starvation to hard living. The two work toward one another, physically and mentally, and when they meet have reached the point where their lives can merge into something truly beautiful.
Cold Mountain is a fascinating read; filled with historical and geographical information wrapped around a beautiful love story. Frazier's style is eloquent, lyrical, and mesmerizing. He uses unique phraseology relative to the time of the story and delivers characters the reader does not soon forget.
Book Review: Cold Mountain
Summary: 4 Stars
I thought the book was very good overall and I would highly recommend it to someone who likes war stories or romance novels.At first I thought the book was boring because of all the descriptions is used. It describes a lot of stuff about the characters lives in great detail. Without all the detail though I don't think the book would be complete. It gives you such a good outlook on the persons life and makes you feel like you are that person living with them at that time, at that moment.
This book is about a wounded soldier who is trying to get home to Ada the girl he loves. Along the way he encounters many obstacles. Although people say war can morph peoples minds at times to where they cannot tell good from bad, Inman does only what he has to do to survive which unfortunately means killing a few people. He goes out of his way to help people even when it means he could be caught and turned in.
I don't want to give away the rest or the story so I will just let you read it to find out if he gets home or not. I loved the book overall and I would highly recommend it to everyone. It's fantastic so try it!
Book Review: Cold Mountain
Summary: 5 Stars
Beautifully poetic. You want to both nibble it slowly to make it last and swallow it whole in one sitting.Book Review: Cold Mountain. A Surprise Ending?
Summary: 4 Stars
Wow! This is a complex story of male and female interaction that ends most unexpectedly. I was riveted though, I must admit. I thought Ada was going to simply wilt after her father left her unable to care for herself. It was only through the strength and skill of her opposite type of personality, Ruby, that both of them learn to take care of themselves and each other.
Inman, is a very strong charater who along with the two females in Cold Mountain, battles numerous demons as he too learns to survive following a serious, almost fatal injury while soldiering. His route after leaving the hospital, takes him on many fascinating adventures and, eventually, into the path of Ada and Ruby. Unexpectedly, the story has a somewhat mysterious end.