This was one book I couldn't wait till the end to find out what happened - in total agony of suspense, I sneaked a look at the last chapter and got it all wrong anyway...! So see if you can read it without peeking. A gripping read, switching back and forth between a deserting soldier in the American Civil War, and the girl he is heading back to see... rivetting stuff. Hope you like it.

Book has just arrived on my desk. Will start it tonight!

This novel seemed to me to explore the depths of man's potential for cruelty and how rapidly the descent from common humanity can occur. I was both fascinated and revolted by the atrocities in the novel and felt able to continue reading only because of the potential for redemption offered by: music and 'its ability to lead one to a better life'; love, 'just saying what your heart felt, straight and simple and unguarded'; and nature itself. Inman's progress back towards Cold Mountain from a place where 'hope itself is but an obstacle' to a place 'that held within its walls no pain nor even a vague memory of pain' was a journey I am glad to have shared with him.

Releasing book to new bookcrossing member in Sheffield, at 3.08pm in front of roaring fire, glass of wine, roast beef dinner expected imminently!

Only just picked up the book and will read it in due course.

The book is very descriptive and it took about until half way through to become gripped.
Once into the story, we both found that it was captivating. The American Civil War was a topic I knew nothing about. I now have at least some images of life then. I was struck with the thought also that not much changes and the same pointless hardships and waste of life continue to happen in the world of today and, no doubt, tomorrow too.
Very neat double take written into epilogue, I thought.
The book is to be released now in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Released on Monday, February 09, 2004 at Golden View Guest House in kandy, Kandy Sri Lanka.