Rating: 
Summary: One of my Top 10
Review: I picked up this book after a long time away from reading any serious fiction. I first I thought, "Oh some boring book about the Civil War." It sat on my shelf for over a year before I picked it up. Well, I couldn't put it down and read through the night and the rest of the next day until I finished it. I loved it and can't say enough good things about this book.
Rating:
Summary: A treasure, a tale of two traveler, if you will...
Review: During the fall of 1998, this book was all the rage, everyone was talking about this National Book Award winning novel. Now that the dust has settled.... read this beautiful told set of stories. Set during the American Civil War, this is a bittersweet story of a wounded Confederate soldier who rises from his hospital bed near Petersburg and begins a long, hard journey home to his love in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. As a deserter, he faces the dangers of those who might kill him, or force him back to the fighting. As a wounded man he faces the possibility of death by infection and/or starvation. The novel follows two stories: The soldier, Inman, his trek and all he encounters on it; and Ada's (his love) who is learning, after the death of her beloved minister father, how to regenerate the farm and her life (with the help of a wonderful young orphaned woman named Ruby). The wild characters, episodes, and general interest of those two tales keep the reader engrossed until the very end. Unlike many love stories, there is little syrupy treacle to this tale, and you will find yourself silently cheering on both the protagonists in their individual "journeys".
Rating: 
Summary: The Book That Went Up a Mountain and Came Down a Molehill
Review: The scenery was beautifully-described and the "down home" remedies seemed well-researched, I'll give Frazier that, and that's why I gave him two stars instead of one. Perhaps he ought to write botany texts or studies of folk medicine. Anything but novels. I cannot imagine why this won anything. It terms of plot, I felt like I was trudging every mile with the soldier and wished he'd just fall over into a ditch, already. It dragged on and on, mile after painful mile. I am a fast reader, and generally read 4-6 books per week, but this thing took me days, short as it was. As to characterization, I didn't like the characters, which isn't necessary, but I didn't even care enough about the people to dislike them. They were dry and left me as cold as that mountain. The "big" scene from which the book takes its title is so predicable, I could hear the stage directions as the camera pulled away. Frazier's obviously hoping for a screenplay bid here. With SO many good novels out there writing of this period by SO many talented authors, I cannot recommend that ANYone waste his/her time on this one. Go instead for a Shaara, Vidal's Lincoln, The Oldest Living Confederate Widow, Uncle Tom's Cabin, or even a Jakes. At least he gives his readers a plot!
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful use of language and lore; weak story
Review: I was given this book by a friend who praised it for the detailed and fascinating descriptions of the countless chores involved in running a farm. Indeed, that aspect of the book proved to be its greatest strength. Through the character of the immensely competent Ruby, Frazier shares some wonderful farm lore of the period. The choice of language feels very "authentic" (although I am in no position to judge). The book is full of colorful expressions and aphorisms. Sadly, I never truly felt compelled to read on; the plot is very sluggish. Could be the price one pays for all those historical vignettes and "authentic language". I did finish Cold Mountain, but only because I believe in finishing any book I start. After the first two-thirds, however, there were far fewer of those interesting descriptions to "reward" my persistance. All that remained was an annoying build-up to an annoying ending. While I am glad that I read it (if I ever need to make a ham, I'm all set), I would not read it again and would only recommend it to someone interested in the type of (now all but lost) know-how mentionned above.
Rating:
Summary: Unmet Expectations
Review: I kept reading and reading and never did really get into it. The plot was thin - but the writing was good.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good first novel
Review: Frazier has definitely done his research - the book evokes the period quite well. The story is a little simplistic, but that's the only real complaint.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Journey
Review: A novel that depends heavily on character development, this book differs from others in that it takes you on a journey with the characters, allowing you to understand them through their eyes. I think both the male and female sides were well represented in this book. Although slow at times, the book really showed what is was like every day, good or bad. I especially enjoy reading about people who change and become more "real" when faced with adversity. All the facades fall away. This is a big theme throughout the story.
Rating:
Summary: Overkill
Review: Seems like a hell of a long way to walk to get laid.
Rating:
Summary: A sappy Civil War soap-opera.
Review: First let me say that this book has all the makings of being a classic, but it is ruined horribly by Frazier's atrocious writing, and pitiful story. Here are some of the main reasons why this book is unenjoyable: 1) You never once care for any of the characters. You could care less what happense to any of them! A good author should let you have feelings for the characters; Frazier just drew up cardboard figures that he never once made you care for. 2) The story is about as horribly written as a soap opera. 3) All of the action --while somewhat satisfying-- is horribly one-sided, and you ALWAYS know who's going to win before the fights even start. 4) The writing --while some say is good-- is just sloppy. As an author myself, I've had my share of bad writing, but, come on! This writing form that Frazier chose is atrociously bad! Will I ever read another Charles Frazier book? Maybe. Maybe I'll give him one more chance. But Cold Mountain is a romantic drama that doesn't live up to the hype and simply falls flat, making you want to throw it across the room in disgust.
Rating: 
Summary: My First 5 Star!
Review: Let me just say I REALLY enjoyed reading this book and one day down the road, I'm sure I will be reading it again. Why? The writing, plain and simple. It is BEAUTIFULLY written. You get the feeling that each and every word was painstackingly thought out and purposely placed. A very, VERY good read! The story centers around Inman as he works his way back home after deserting the Confederate army, all the while thinking of Ada, the woman he thinks he was meant for. And about 1/3 of the book is from Ada's perspective, as she contemplates life and Inman, the man she almost wonders if she wasn't destined for. What's most fascinating to me, is that Inman and Ada are actually the author's great-great-grandparents, and so the author's heart is VERY much into the story and makes it as good as it is. A minor con that some readers may find, was some of the words you just don't know! I found myself looking up many words to fully understand what was being said. For instance, I remember looking up one word (can't remember it) which meant "a wicker basket made of [some certain plant/and or material]." Am I complaining? NO! I really appreciate that kind of detail and it made me want to know my English better! And I certainly didn't need to have a dictionary handy to enjoy it, and neither will you. If you REALLY know your vocabulary, you'll enjoy the book even more than I did. One very minor complaint I have to mention is that there wasn't much of a feeling of suspense. But it's very forgivable as the words just roll around in your brain, and if you're one of those people who mark beautiful passages and/or quotes in books, you may find yourself needing a second highlighter! A highly recommended read, and I would actually give it a 9.5 out of 10 because of the lack of suspense, but you won't read it for suspense so much as you will to appreciate the language. And if you're like me, you'll agree that for a first time author, you'll find yourself hoping Charles Frazier writes many more novels!
|
