Cold Mountain
A wounded Confederate deserter, Inman, walks hundreds of miles home through the ruins of the Civil War toward Ada, the woman he barely knew before he left. Ada, meanwhile, learns to survive on her late father's farm. Content notes: war violence, death.
About This Book
Cold Mountain is a historical romance novel by Charles Frazier, first published in 2003 by Sceptre. It runs 448 pages. Readers can expect star-crossed lovers, second chance; mild heat.
At a glance
- Genre
- Historical
- Trope
- Star-Crossed Lovers
- Heat
- Mild
- Published
- 1997
- Length
- 448 pages
Where to read or listen
Get Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- A wounded Civil War deserter embarks on a perilous journey home to the woman he barely knows, while she struggles to maintain her family's farm.
- fans of literary historical fiction
- readers who appreciate atmospheric, character-driven narratives
- contemplative
- Features Star-Crossed Lovers
This may not be ideal if…
- readers looking for upbeat or lighthearted romance
- Slow pacing
- Depressing subject matter
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Historical Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Equal in their respective struggles for survival.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
High angst.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
May not suit
Recommended audience: Adults
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Set during the American Civil War, the story follows Inman, a soldier broken by the violence of war, as he abandons the Confederate army to return to Cold Mountain. His destination is Ada, a woman he shared only a brief connection with before his departure. While Inman faces the dangers of the road, Ada must learn to manage her late father's farm in isolation, transforming her existence as she waits for a man who is largely a stranger to her.
Central Conflict
Inman's dangerous trek to desert the army and return to the woman he loves, juxtaposed with Ada's struggle for survival and independence on a remote farm.
Setting
American South during the Civil War.
Strengths
- Evocative atmosphere
- Strong character development
- Lyrical prose
Consider before reading
- Slow pacing
- Depressing subject matter
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- High confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Charles Frazier
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Sceptre
- Published
- 1997
- Length
- 448 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780340824733
- ISBN-10
- 0340824735
Cold Mountain: quick answers
- Who wrote Cold Mountain?
- Cold Mountain was written by Charles Frazier.
- When was Cold Mountain published?
- Cold Mountain was first published in 2003 by Sceptre.
- What genre is Cold Mountain?
- Cold Mountain is a historical romance novel, with star-crossed lovers, second chance.
- How many pages is Cold Mountain?
- Cold Mountain is 448 pages long.
- How spicy is Cold Mountain?
- EIKNA rates Cold Mountain as mild heat.
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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