Night Booker's Book Club Discussion of Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

The group had a heartfelt discussion about Cold Mountain. Everyone agreed the book was difficult to read because of the graphic depiction of the Civil War. Inman, the confederate soldier who deserted the war and headed home to his sweetheart Aida at Cold Mountain, had a more difficult time than his sweetheart Aida. Each chapter alternated between Inman's story and Aida's story. It was always a relief to come to Aida's story, because Inman's was so intense. Aida was an orphan who had to learn how to run a farm with the aid of a girl named Ruby. Everyone sympathized with him for deserting because the war was so terrible. Even though his journey was arduous, there was hope and a focus. Cold Mountain has been compared to Odysseus. The read was challenging but worthwhile.