Cold Mountain

Interesting read blending fictional characters and relationships into a back drop of historical events. Great descriptive writing that created realistic images and emotions.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The tone can be sometimes a little flat, but I liked how slowly this goes. Once it got to faster pace, it was exciting

At times, the narrator was extremely flat. But other times, the flatness fit the tone of the book. Maybe that's how people are on cold mountain.

Charles Frazier can tell a story. It took me a disk to get into it but once I did I was hooked. The characters are interesting and the circumstances of the Civil War as a backdrop are fascinating. I'm not sure that he was the best choice for reading this book - maybe some dramatic flair would have helped but I was so interested in the story - the journey that I didn't mind.

It dragged. My friends raved about this book, but I found it very depressing.

This book was o.k., but not riveting. There was a lot of detail which could either be interesting at times, or annoying when I was trying to figure out what the author was getting at. It wasn't until several discs in that the reader finds out the two main characters have strong feelings for one another. But then there is not a lot of the author does to build up how the romance began. The way the author tells the story of the beginning romance makes it seem lame. I found myself thinking, this guy is going through all of this because of these first few encounters? It's almost like he had a fantasy about who she was. Like I said, it was o.k. but the romance part should have been more developed.

I am on the last of 12 disks and I am already dreading having to be finished with this book. At first the dull voice of the narrator was rather annoying to me, but later I realized that his voice is actually perfect for this sad, gloomy and beautiful story. It is obvious that the author did a great deal of research for this book. I would definitely recommend this book.

One of the most powerful and spellbinding books I've heard since becoming a member, up there with "Life of Pi," "Bel Canto" and few others. If you're interested in American history, or a powerful narrative story, I highly recommend it. The author reads it, and it would have been better served with a more dramatically capable reader. But it's a minor nuisance, the words carry the story.

Perhaps I should have listened to the unabridged version of this novel. With the abridged edition people and places flew at the listener in rapid succession and I didn't feel very much connection with any of them.

The skeptic in me couldn't help but question the depth of Inman's character and his musings on the world around him, but this took nothing away from a sweeping, romantic, and thoroughly fascinating story. Even though I saw the movie first, the book was full of suspense and shed much more light on the characters I had already met. Very well read by the author, whose voice is a perfect match for the text.

This has to be one of the most monotone reading I have heard. It was very hard to listen to. I made it thu it but it was hard. The other reviews said it was great & I don't agree. It was pretty boring to me. Nothing much happened which is true I guess but didn't make it easier to listen to. It is like he is just reading the book to you so it is some differnt then most of the other books you listen to.

I loved listening to this book. The prose was beautiful and the stories within the story were all moving.

What a FANTASTIC book. I was sorry for it to end. It's almost like you become a part of it, and never WANT it to end.

I absolutely loved this audiobook. The author reads it which I think is always better. If you can, listen to this before you see the movie (the movie is also very good)!!

I found this book to be a very interesting tale. At first I had trouble with the narrator, but I did get used to his style and then felt like we were sitting on a porch and he was telling me a very good story. It seemed a little depressing for me, but I think it was truely a sign of what happened during those times. This was my second Civil War mystery in the past month and I found both to be very interesting and would probably read more by this author.

The author of this book aparently did a great deal of research. I felt pulled back in time able to envision more clearly than ever what life must have been like during the war. Little details and descriptions of the life and times of average people made me feel at times, I was there seeing and experiencing what the author was detailing. I never really gave much thought to how difficult life must have been years ago, but this book defines the human spirit and it's desire to overcome adversity against all odds. Excellent book, wonderfully written and very informative.

I found the language in this novel truly dazzling. In addition to his original word choices Frazier's ability to tell a story exceeded expectations. Inman's journey back to Cold Mountain reminded me of Odysseus. The bitter context in which he sets the story helps the reader gain insight into the nature of man. This book takes a little discipline on the listener's part but it proved worth the effort. The scenes and characters described still haunt me albeit in a positive way weeks after it finished.

I tried--God knows--I tried to get interested in this book. It sometimes takes a disc or so to get fully engrossed in a story, so I gave this one the benefit of the doubt. Sadly, it got no better. The characters were like beige paint--not exciting nor interesting. And the story just dra-a-g-ged agonizingly along. I wanted some excitement, some pizzaz, some reason to keep listening. I nearly had a seatbelt installed on my office chair. Boy, was I led down the path by other reviewers...gk

I can't decide whether this book made me feel depressed or uplifted. Whatever it did, it's a very thoughtful, profound book and I enjoyed listening to it.

This was the first book I just couldn't get in to. The author/reader was so monotone it was difficult to listen to.

I didn't much like the movie of this book when I saw it, but I thought I'd give the book itself a try. I must say it was wonderful. It kept me engaged and emotionally involved for the entire 12 discs. Highly recommended.

Excellent! I wanted to keep driving after I got home!

Without a doubt one of the best books I've rented! The detail that Frazier brought to the story is incredible, this book must have taken years to research and write.

Yes, it seems a bit slow to get on with it in the beginning but once you fall into the easy pace of this audio CD you will want it to never stop. It will soon feel like that comfy sweater you slip into on a cold night, the one you couldn't dream of living without. Not only is the story written in an intensely personal style but it's almost as if you have been given the ability to peer inside each characters' mind, into every crevice and around every corner. Their thoughts laid bare before you for inquisition and judgement. I have decided that I could also listen to Charles Frazier read anything from the most advanced textbook on mathematics to the New York phone book and still derive great pleasure from just from the sound of his voice.

The author succintly describes the difficult lives people endured during the Civil War. The brutality (off the battlegrounds) was unexpected. I enjoyed this book despite its brutal moments. I thought the story telling experience could have been better served if the author had not read the book for the recording and someone with inflection in the voice and a similar southern accent was chosen to read instead.

I enjoyed this book and believe that the writer did a great job of describing the living conditions of people during The Civil War. I watched the movie first, but think the book explained the characters' feelings more effectively.

This book is likely to entertain both history buffs and those who are just interested in a solid, well written story. The author does an excellent job of making readers realize how those folks living in the mid 19th century were often forced to live from hand to mouth. Civilization, as we moderns know it, has not been with us all that long!

Great book. Amazing description. Better than the movie, which I also enjoyed.

Very graphical description which made it a painfully slow story. I did not enjoy this one very much and would not recommend it. I wanted to see the movie before I heard it and now that I've heard it, I have no desire to see the movie.

This story is captivating. Although the author reads it in a rather monotone voice, I couldn't wait to get back in my car to find out what would happen next. Beautifully written, with vivid desciptions of every detail gives you the feeling you are there, on the mountain with Ada and Ruby, or walking beside Inman. Great Story!