Rating: 
Summary: 5 star writing, but in the end, unsatisfying
Review: Unsatisfied is really the best word I can use to describe the feeling I had at the end of the book. I really enjoyed reading this book right up until the end. The characters are memorable, the visual descriptions wonderful, the style and flow of the writing very engaging. However close to the end I even predicted what the cheesy, over-used "literary" ending would be (I hoped against it, but alas, I was correct...). I read the book so I would have a good comparison for the much-anticipated movie, but now I don't think I want to bother with the movie. One let-down is enough.
Rating:
Summary: three stars for style, none for substance
Review: Mr Frazier is as gifted a stylist as I've ever read. His prose is lyrical and effortless and warms the heart. Like the slow walk of your mailman from the road below, you smile as he approaches your home and your heart and wonder what good thing he will bring today... unfortunately, Frazier's style delivers today's politically correct slant on the old South - full of murderers and thieves, all white - and a sprinkling of well intentioned people - all black; and an ending that made me moan and toss the tome in the trash. I'd give my right eye to have Frazier's abilities, they are immense. But I felt like a child who searched under the Christmas tree and found and unwrapped a magnificent silver-foiled box only to find a lump of coal at the bottom.
Rating: 
Summary: Would have been five stars if not for the ending
Review: This book is fascinating, brilliant, beautifully written, and has one of the most disappointing endings I have ever read. I won't tell you what happens, but, after carefully developing Inman, and putting him through a series of life-threatening adventures, Frazier simply betrays his character -- as if he discarded a logical ending for a more "literary" one. I'm not someone who believes a book must end in a certain way: happy endings, sad endings, even ambiguous endings have their place; what I don't like are wrong, illogical endings. In betraying Inman, Frazier also betrays his readers' trust, and the affection for character and author that has developed by the book's end. I've had discussions, and arguments--good natured ones, of course...--with several people about the ending. Those who love the ending are adamant in their feeling, while those who hate it are no less fervent. Still, I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Quite possibly the worst book I have ever read!
Review: This book was so incredibly boring and long. It went on and on. I have no idea what fool would ever give this book an award! I think you deserve an award if you finish reading it. I can't believe they made a movie about this book. Honestly, this has got to be one of the all time worst books ever written.
Rating:
Summary: I found this disappointing, after hearing all the buzz.
Review: Perhaps I had heard too much about this novel, but I found the actual reading of it to be extremely anti-climatic. I love reading, and have a master's degree in literature, but for some reason, this story did not engage me in the slightest. Inman does travel a long distance from a war, but that is the only comparison to The Odyssey that could ever be drawn, in my opinion. Both Ada and Inman read as extremely cold characters, and the whole story lacked the passion of The Odyssey. My boyfriend also felt the same way--perhaps we are the only two people who did not enjoy this book! The plot is fine, but the characters are not compelling. I would never recommend this book to anyone, but it's perfectly adequate, if boring, reading.
Rating:
Summary: Grows On You--Lovely and Lyrical
Review: I admit to skipping the first chapter of this book, as I found it difficult to become interested in the plight of Civil War participant Inman in his introductory stay in a hospital before going back to the fighting. However, as I read further, each chapter waffles back and forth between Inman and his lady, Ada, I found that Frazier's heavily detailed narrative, indeed grew on me. Trailers of the upcoming movie, piqued my interest with regard to obvious movie romance, and I read rather impatiently to find some sense of this "great love" within the pages of the book. Indeed I did find it---and along the way, enjoyed thoroughly the odyssey of Inman's journey back to his faithful, albeit not-so-competent Penelope.
Frazier brings up many themes, most memorable the utter destruction of war within the spirit of a man; but more lyrically he tells a tale of the American Appalacians---the hard working mountain dwellers and their steadfast beliefs and downright admirable perserverance. Each chapter brings to life new characters in an Uncle Remus-like simplicity that is not only effective but beautiful.
Inman's eventual reunion with his barely-known love is worth waiting for---the ending could have been happier, but is in keeping with the moving-on sense of each of the main characters.
Rating:
Summary: A Really Good Novel
Review: I hesitate to call this a great novel, but the story certainly is engaging and the language is often beautiful. However, my one reservation about the book lies with the language: at times it seems forced and perhaps "overly" artistic. I still recommend reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautifully crafted, difficult, but above all amazing
Review: Charles Frazier's debut 'Cold Mountain' received a deserved National Book Award in 1997. One of the best American novels of the 90s, this book is not for everyone. Part an unconventional love story, part a War story, but above all, the study of the human condition, the novel requires patience from the reader. To experienced readers, who like literary works, it is not difficult to fall in love with this narrative. The story is slow, the writer builds his characters and situations bit by bit --that's why people who are looking for a war adventure or a conventional love story should stay away from 'Cold Mountain'. The focus on three main characters: Inman, a soldier who deserts the battle and embarks in a journey to meet Ada, his beloved who's trying to keep going the farm left by her father, and Ruby, a mountain-girl who helps her with the farm. Throught his journey, Inman meets a different cast of characters --some people help and some not-- that more than anything exemplify the human condition, mostly in war times. Meanwhile, Ada, who can't keep in touch with him, tries to survive in the farm her father left. She will count on the help from Ruby, a simple girl who knows a lot about nature and farming and wants to help Ada, as long as she is treated like an equal, and not a maid. After the story is set, and the characters introduced, Frazier is free to left the three main characters dominating the narrative. Although they are not the narrators, we're allowed to see their most inner thoughts, fears and joys. Every character is believable, in my opinion. Everyone has his/her life changed because of the war, and all of them are wounded souls. The narrative is very descriptive therefore many parts are static. And although the story seems not to be going anywhere, it actually it --but it is very subtle. For some readers, this kind of device is a problem --while for others this is truly beautiful. Not many writers have the ability that Frazier does to do such device. What in many narratives could be a bore, in his is simply wonderful to take a time off and look around, to see how much the environment has changed with the war. Inman, Ada and Ruby are unforgettable. While he has one different supporting character every chapter; the two girls become close friends, in a beautiful friendship of mutual need. While Ruby can teach the mysteries of the nature; Ada helps her friends to learn things like arts. All in all, Frazier has written one of the best novels published in the 90s. This is the kind of book that requires a lot from the reader, but it gives back much more. It is very rewarding to follow Inman, Ada and Ruby in their journey, however long and difficult it is.
Rating:
Summary: one of the best books I've ever read
Review: Though ultimately a tale of sorrow and hardship, this is nevertheless a moving story. Frazier structures the book to tell the parallel stories of Inman, who is traveling a hard road home to Cold Mountain to escape the ravages of fighting in the Civil War, and of Ada, who is struggling to eke out an existence on her father's farm after her father's death. Frazier's writing style and language result in a somewhat sophisticated prose that transports the reader right into the story. I've read many many books and this is by far one of my favorites. After reading some of these reviews, I think that in an way, it's unfortunate that high schoolers are forced to read this book for their English classes. Even though I enjoyed English in high school, and even majored in it in college, I think I too would have disliked this book if I had read it in that context. This book was not meant to be ruined by picking it apart in high school English. This is a compelling story if you choose to read it and are not forced to do so.
Rating:
Summary: Great American Odyssey
Review: One of the better books I have read that was written in the past decade. Some parts of the book are dense and even a little boring, but it is still worth the read. Beware: reading this book may spark an unhealthy interest in the American Civil War.
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