I've refused to see the movie before I read the book. I've wanted to read Cold Mountain for a while after my junior year history teacher recommended it to me saying, "You better read it soon because they're making it into a Hollywood blockbuster." The hint of disgust in her voice was very much apparent.

It seems though that because of her and my mom both telling me how great this book I was, I was a little let down when I finally read it. I mean, it's good, don't get me wrong, but I guess my expectations were just to high for it. I'm sure you've been in that same place.

The writing was beautiful and unique. Frazier's way of writing dialogue was very interesting and I had never seen it done that way before. It did bother me slightly at first, but then I got used to it. He's also very descriptive... a character cannot take a single step without a full blown and detailed description is given about the area surrounding the characters foot. At times it's very beautiful and you love to read it... other times you're just like, "Okay, we get it, it's really pretty country."

Ada and Inman are both very interesting to read about, even more so as the story progresses, but the characters they meet and run into are even more indearing and interesting. When one of their stories begins, you are immediately drawn in.

The book also seemed to drag in different places and I found my mind often wandering. But usually it was when I was a little tired or in a non-peaceful setting with a lot of background noise. I think this is one of those books you need to read when you can just sit down somewhere quiet and read... it's very easy to be pulled out of this book, which is unfortunate because it's a novel you really could absorb yourself in.

Anywho, now that I've finished the book, I can probably go see the movie. This actually might be one of those cases when the movie is better in the book... in the sense that nothing needs to be described because it's already all there! Heh. But tell me what you think.