Rating: 
Summary: The WORST Novel EVER Written
Review: I wish I could give a rating lower than one star, because just one star is much, much too high for this terrible novel. First of all, Inman is portrayed as an invincible superman who somehow escapes all the predicaments put in front of him. This gets old very quick, and I found myself morbidly tired of him after about the 3rd chapter. Secondly, none of the characters were likeable. Ada, particularly, is lazy and I couldn't generate any sympathy for her whatsoever. Rosie is just plain uninteresting and Inman's preacher companion (I forget his name, sorry) is simply a piece of trash. I found it hard to care about the story when I couldn't care any less about the characters. I just wanted them all to curl up and die so the book would be over. And finally, the constant interludes by unimportant characters that take pages and pages out of the novel that have absolutely no apparent impact on the main plot probably take up about 20% of the book by my estimation and I found myself skipping them because they were unimportant and uninteresting. I cannot believe that this horrid novel won the National Book Award, and I felt like my time had been wasted.
Rating: 
Summary: A good, simple tale
Review: I think you'll like it if you've ever had to walk a long distance in the wilderness, or are a fan of the civil war period. I can really relate to Inman's trekking experience of seemingly walking forever under adverse conditions, getting lost, and the feeling he describes as he nears home. Ada's story was of less interest to me, however, and it was somewhat annoying when the author kept switching between the two. I thought the author's description of life without tv, cars, etc. to be very accurate and pleasingly intertwined with the story. This, combined with the simple plot (guy heads for home to girl) makes it a nice, simple tale in today's world.
Rating: 
Summary: excellent writing, beautiful prose
Review: I found the writing in Cold Mountain to be exceptional-riveting.The descriptions of the geography, flora, fauna were very well done. The characters were realistic. I felt like I was living in the book as I read it. It was one of the most pleasureable reading experiences I have had to date.tnoyes
Rating:
Summary: A phenomenal first novel! Where has C. Frazier been hiding?
Review: I was particularly taken with Charles Frazier's ability to stimulate the senses of the reader. I could "feel and see" the landscape; I could smell the woodsmoke. Inman, Ada, Ruby and the goatwoman stood in front of me and spoke in my presence... I will never forget this story. It has more of that "linger well after the final page" quality than any novel I've ever read to date. My heart has been drawn to the Civil War period since I was a young girl. This story made me profoundly "homesick."
Rating:
Summary: This book was a wonderful page-turner...a good read.
Review: If you enjoy realistic historical novels, you will enjoy this wonderfully told story about the horror and waste of the civil war. The prose is well-written, and the message runs deep, in a probing, moralistic, even spiritual way. I read this on a backpacking trip, and gladly carried the extra weight...
Rating: 
Summary: Highly over-rated and not that great a read.
Review: I was very disappointed in this novel. After all the hype, I found it uninteresting. I did not become invested in the main characters and was tempted to quit reading it about a halfway through. I was most drawn to Ruby and her determination and inventiveness in drawing a living from the land. That is what kept me reading.
Rating: 
Summary: a picaresque jack tale...
Review: i am having trouble deciding if i like this book or not..if i understand it or not and if i wholly appreciate the historical significance..one comment i would like to make. i have never heard mention of "the jack tales," a collection of tales from the oral tradition of the south, in connection with this book...i did appreciate the characters he met...however...
Rating:
Summary: More than a civil war story. A trip in time.
Review: I usually do not read civil war books, however I am glad that I did pick this book up. It was more than a civil war story. It was a journey through time meeting interesting characters along the way. It made you want to travel the same roads today and meet the people along the trail. Some characters were mean and nasty while others were fun, troubled, a little off balance. Just like what you would find if you made the trip in our times. I particulaly like that he was returning home to what he hoped was true not what he knew was true. The book showed strong women characters and while not funny did give rise to a little chuckel occassionally. It was well written and a great read. I think it would make a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: Slow beginning, but worth hanging on for the ride!
Review: This surprisingly sweet story begins rather somberly, and maintains that tone throughout, with overlays of sweetness and surprising sentimentality. Although I cannot vouch for the authenticity of the writing style, I felt as if I were reading a book written in the 1880's. The surprising ending may leave some readers (this one included) a little jarred, I feel that this work certainly was worth the ride. I tried to read it last summer, and was daunted by the feel of the first chapter; my civil-war historian friend BEGGED me to try again, and I'm glad I did.
Rating:
Summary: Good Beginning, Predictable Story Book Ending.
Review: I was disappointed with the ending of "Cold Mountain" , it seemed to lose the drama and become a predictably rosy romance novel. It is hard to believe that this novel has been a best seller for so long, or is it?
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