Outstanding

Well narrated beautiful story. Off to look for more by the author. Recommend both book and film.

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Makes you feel like a better person.

I believe this novel will have at least some sort of influence on whoever reads it. The story contrasts itself constantly. Hopeful and heartwarming one second and then completely devastating the next. It's gritty and realistic.

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Beautiful writing of a moving journey

The description of nature sits poignantly alongside some harrowing events, following Inman and Ada's journeys of spiritual growth and acceptance of life. Loved it.

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My mum nagged me to read this for years

I tried the book several times but could never get into it. So glad to find it on audible and it was a pleasant surprise to find I loved the author’s narration. It quite dreamlike and feel I need another listen sometime in the future but it was beautifully written and the story is poignant.

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2 people found this helpful

Highly recommended

What a fantastic story. Wonderfully presented and a delight to listen to really enjoyed it

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Wonderful story

Excellent epic tale of love set against a background of the American Civil War. The descriptive passages contrast beautifully the trials and tribulations of a small cast of characters as they struggle to cope with the brutality of war and all its consequences.

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3 people found this helpful

6 out of 5 ⭐️

‘They stood wary, about the number of paces apart specified for duelists. Not clasping heart to heart as Inman had imagined, but armed against each other, weapons glinting hard light into the space between them….. He thought, four years gone warring, but back now on home ground and I’m no better than a rank stranger here. A wandering pilgrim in my own place. Such is the price I’ll pay for the past four years. Firearms standing between me and everything I want’

6 out of 5 ⭐️

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A masterpiece of contemporary fiction

One of my favourite novels, brilliantly styled on the Odyssey. Moving, evocative and a beautifully observed and narrated work of fiction.

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Cold Mountain

Journeys are a pretty familiar way of exploring the world after the big collapse of civilisation (Book of Eli, The Road) and this is just what the American South has come to, the military, social and economic collapse of a decadent society. Through the post-war chaos one man just wants to head for home, but on route he has to pass the furies. This is no Oh Brother Where Art Thou however, for the curdled societies through which he travels home are now at war with themselves. Here is each against the other, where almost all are considered undesireable outsiders, and where the con-artist rules with a vicious recourse to violence and retribution. But the characters he meets are not all vile, though few if any are untouched by being within a deepening wasteland. And of course the returning soldier changes too, always aware of the fragility of life, of friendship, and of his goal to return home. The 'kindness of strangers' is rarely apparent, but at the most unlikely juncture people can learn a new respect for themselves and others. Meanwhile the folks back home also change out of recognition, to themselves and those who might seek them out. New skills are won and shared, new identities formed, threatened and defended. As the traveller and the homestead convergence the post-war South starts to emerge as something none would have wished to find, but all have some responsibly for creating. This might make the tale very depressing, but its ability to pick out the human moment in the strangest of places (betting on lacrosse with the Cherokee) means that overall I find this quite heartening, though without the more contrived bitter-sweet ending of the movie Sommersby. Even if you have already seen the film read or listen to the book. As is so often the case the book has so much more to offer than the film: your view of folk will never be quite the same. And if a civilisation should collapse, get home as quickly as possible and don't look back. It could happen here too.

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11 people found this helpful

Perfect

Exquisite, brutal, heartbreaking,.
It is read as well as it is written.
Vividly imagined and true.
Utterly compelling.

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