Cold Mountain

When I read this book a second time (and yes--there will be a second time), I'm going to do two big things differently. For starters, I'm actually going to slow down and pay attention to the details instead of getting so wrapped up in the story that I fly through the pages to figure out the resolution (which, ironically, I ultimately knew because I'd seen the movie years ago). I'm also going to read it with a map in hand; about twenty pages in I realized that the story was set in a part of the country that I've spent time in and am familiar with (albeit the story is set during the Civil War, so the landscape is significantly different), but at that point we were on a plane (flying to that said part of the country, as it turns out) and I didn't have access to a map. Which in retrospect is probably okay; I'm sure I would have neglected referencing it anyway. My second time though? I'm totally going to trace the paths and lives of the characters, and actually be able to connect it to how the countryside in that area looks now. I'm nerdily excited.

At its core, this book is a love story, although it seems to take each character some time to actually figure that out since the war has separated them, both geographically and emotionally. Inman has become a deserted of the Confederate Army and must travel surreptitiously through the backcountry to return home and Ada is left parentless and penniless after her father dies, and doesn't have the first idea how to take care of herself, let alone the large farm she lives on. Independently, both characters have striking stories full of trials and victories, and ultimately, their stories are inseparably linked. I did find the book to be a little detail-heavy at times, but most of that was out of necessity since the author is describing life during a time that most of us can't fathom. Those descriptions add a fascinating third element into a book already filled with two strong characters. If you have an interest in history/Civil-War era stories and/or well-written love stories, I think you'll really enjoy this book. And if you're just looking for a good read, indifferent of content, then I'd definitely recommend this book.