Rating: 
Summary: Very Good
Review: I agree with the previous reviewer; I too find it alarming that many of the negative reviews describe the book as "boring" and "slow paced". It must be the continuing effect of TV and video games upon the national attention span, which makes it difficult to appreciate any book other than a Stephen King style page-turner (not that there's anything wrong with Stephen King). This book is pretty darn close to qualifying as literature.
Rating:
Summary: A great war novel
Review: I had heard many great things about this book becuase my grandpa had read it and had loved it . He raved about the book alll the time . I was surpirsed though how much this book went into to details about war , not that this was a bad thing but it is not for everyone. I myself enjoyed this novel a whole lot . I enjoyed the two different stories going on at the same time. It made me think a little bit more about things going on. I also enjoyed the ending because I'm still not sure what happened but i got to make up my imagination and thats the best ending a book could have . I was pleased with this book very much so. I can't wait till this author comes out with another book.
Rating:
Summary: This is good literature, not pop culture......
Review: I must say that the reactions to this book are very interesting, and at opposite ends of the spectrum. As a Civil War buff, and someone who enjoys a non-preachy book with a message, let me add my vote of confidence for a solid piece of work. Let's just say the reader is required to invest some time, to receive a very powerful and emotional payback in the end. For me the novel picked up steam as I got to know the characters, and I became more engrossed in the story with the approach of the impending climax. I found the characters to be richly detailed and memorable. I can recall virtually every character by name - and I will be able to do so for some time. Not many books can say that these days. I felt like I knew these people. Many paint the book as depressing and violent. However, I think the book did nothing but accurately reflect a very troubled and violent time in U.S. history - nothing less, nothing more. I must admit I am also surpised/alarmed by the number of reviewers who talk about its slow pace or the amount of detail. I guess this is just part of our new pop culture which demands immediate gratification. Anything that takes over a few seconds to deliver any new information is considered slow, boring, and not worth anyone's time. If this describes you, don't read this book. I will definitely read Mr. Frazier's next book, and I hope he continues to deliver fine work like this.
Rating: 
Summary: Cold Mountain Leaves Reader Cold
Review: I must give the author two stars for effort, as Frasier is a very eloquent writer, however, I did not enjoy the story in the least bit. I found it a chore to actually sit down and read Cold Mountain, but forced myself to do so because I had paid good money for it. I would definitely avoid this book, unless you want something that will put you to sleep as a result of a lack of any action. Maybe that is why all so many people liked Cold Mountain...it is a good alternative to sleeping pills.
Rating: 
Summary: The best book I have read in years
Review: Thank you Charles Frazier for your wonderful book "Cold Mountain" which I finished recently.This book is full of the most perfect prose that I have ever read and I envy anyone who has yet to have the pleasure of opening the first page. Keep up the good work Charles Frazier and I will be the first out to buy your next book.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Civil War-Period Piece
Review: I am a fan of the Civil War period and love reading books that give much detail on that time, including how drastically things changed from before the war to after the war. Frazier wrote about all the little things--the nitty gritty--and I ate it up. I had no problem getting into the book. His writing style did not bother me in the least. I heard both good and bad things about the book and almost didn't pick it up, but I am SO GLAD I did.
Rating:
Summary: hard but satisfying
Review: I thought that this was a very good book for being the author's first novel. Frazier's style is different, and at times tedious, but the final product works very well. He does tend to over-write some scenes. I think what stands out most in this book is the superb historical accuracy...this aspect is absolutely excellent. I would highly reccomend this novel to anyone with an interest in the Civil War era. Cold Mountain is not an easy read...be prepared to work! The ending is disheartening yet moving, and the story as a whole is very satifying.
Rating:
Summary: A good novel on many levels - stick with it.
Review: Cold Mountain presents multiple stories on multiple levels. Not only do we have two great stories (1) Inman and his struggle with his journey home and the memories of a war he's found means nothing and (2) Ada's attempt to (re)build a life on a farm, though somewhat weaker than Miss O'Hara at the beginning, brings about a dramtic transformation with the help of Rudy that creates a woman the reader can truly respect and admire.But along the way, Frazier presents us not only with the overlying stories of these two charcters and the people they meet along the way, but he does it mirroring a genre that few have the nerve to tackle - that of the epic. The constant allusions to The Odyssey cannot be a mistake or a coincidence, and he crafts them so well that they seemed enmeshed details of the story. Inman's travels through hell at the beginning of the novel seem another step on the way home, yet the image of the ferry across the muddy rive Styx and the hauntingly familiar dream he has of Ada while in his own Hades present the reader with a scavanger hunt when they finally realize what they're reading. A well done novel, though I must admit it was slow at times. Stick with it, you won't be sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: Guide to writing a bestseller ....
Review: Heres a guide to writing the next bestseller - 1. Copy several hundred pages out of a really old trail guide to North Carolina 2. Add a few dozen recipes for goat stew 3. Don't forget to rip out the last few pages just to make sure that the reader is left feeling cheated and bewildered.
Rating:
Summary: loved it, interesting style
Review: It took about 40 or 50 pages to get used to the writing style of Mr. Frazier. But after that it read very easily. Don't stop because it is different. If you decide to read this book, finish it, you will be in for a real treat. What a story teller. I hope there are more great stories where Cold Mountain came from.
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