Charles Frazier
Cold Mountian (1997)
Author: Charles Frazier
Genre: Historical
Plot Summary:
Cold Mountain gives us the story of two would-be lovers that become separated by the harsh realities of
the American Civil War. Inman is forced to leave Ada to take up arms against the Union invaders, thus putting their unfolding romance into jepordy. After taking part in many bloody campaigns, Inman is shot through the neck and sent to the infirmary to recuperate. While recovering from his wound, he decides that he will no longer take part in the war. He sets off on foot to the Blue Ridge Mountians, where he hopes to find Ada and resume their courtship. Throughout his long and harrowing journey, Inman encounters many strange travelers and gets tangled up in a number of terrifying situations. Meanwhile, Ada suddenly finds herself struggling to maintain her father's farm after his death. She had been raised in the genteel tradition and now finds herself ill-prepared for farm life. Lacking the knowledge and physical strength to run the farm on her own, she seeks the help of a young mountian wanderer named Ruby. The two become fast friends despite their different backgrounds, and they are gradually able to get the farm into working order. Inman, beleaguered and half-starved, finally arrives at Ada's farm, where she nurses him back to health. They enjoy a brief romance before Inman heads out to surrender himself to the Union Army, in order to shed his outlaw status and hopefully share a peaceful existence with Ada. SPOILER: Unfortunately, Inman is fallen upon by a ruthless group of mercenary Confederate guards and is killed. Years later, however, Ada recovers from this loss and lives happily on the farm with her daughter (presumably Inman's) and Ruby's new family.
Geographical Setting: North Carolina
Time Period: 1864
Appeal Characteristics:
This National Book Award winner (1997) uses incredibly detailed and vivid description to take the reader back to rural North Carolina during the Civil War. The combination of the realistic description of the lifeways of the time, and the rustic Southern dialect used in the narration, make this book read like it is from the time period, not about it. The pacing is slow, due to the heavy description (especially the first 60 pages), but the story picks up once Inman begins his trek. The characters have a depth of personality. We are given fairly extensive background information about most of the main characters (and some minor characters too). The story is narrated in the third-person and the chapters alternate their focus from Inman to Ada. The author's literary prowess is such that he creates a genuine love story without giving over to sentimental mush. The overall tone of the book conveys the senselessness of the war and the courage that was necessary for people to live through it.
Read-alikes: Fans of this book might also like The Widow of the South (2005), by Robert Hicks. This book features narration from multiple-perspectives, involves a love story, and gives a realistic portrayal of the same historical time frame (1864). The Black Flower (2000), by Howard Bahr, is another dark, character-driven story of the Civil War. Here we are given authentic dialogue, historical accuracy, and a powerful love story. Enemy Women (2002), by Paulette Jiles, gives a lyrical account of a young woman struggling to survive through the horrors of the Civil War. The book is well-researched, involves a love story, and creates a vivid setting. Kaye Gibbons' On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon (1998) also focuses on a strong willed woman that has to rely on her own tenacity in order to survive through the war. The characters are complex, there is a love story, and it takes place in North Carolina (Raleigh). Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels (1974) is not a love story, but it should appeal to readers that enjoyed the conflicts that Inman had to encounter while on his quest. This Pulitzer Prize winner will give the reader a historically accurate account of the battle of Gettysburg. It is told from multiple perspectives, and gives the reader a window into the thoughts and fears of the warriors. This book moves at a faster pace (and contains more action) than Cold Mountian, but the realisim of the description will give the reader a similar feel for the atmosphere during the Civil War.
Red Flags: Graphic violence; Profanity; Racism; Alcohol consumption; Sexual situations
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