Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, Charles Frazier's novel Cold Mountain follows the journey of a wounded Confederate deserter named Inman as he makes his way back to his love, Ada Monroe. Each chapter alternates between Inman and Ada's stories, examining not only the deprivations endured by a wounded soldier, but also the dangers and hardships faced by those he has left behind.

Drawing on the lives of his great grandfather and great great uncle, Charles Frazier created the character of Inman, a man very much like Homer's Odysseus in the famous novel The Odyssey. Frazier had always wanted to write a story about the Southern Appalachian Mountains, so when his father first told him the story of his great, great uncle's journey home during the Civil War, he jumped at the chance to combine the two subjects.

Extensive research went into the writing of Cold Mountain, which took Charles Frazier seven years to complete. He spent time gathering and listening to the music of the times, as well as tapping into his own childhood memories regarding the languages used in the region. It was important to him to convey the musical flow of the language during the nineteenth century, a language that still exists in the Appalachian region today, but is quickly becoming obsolete.

The injured Inman is tired of fighting for a cause he never supported and leaves his hospital bed and begins a dangerous journey of 250 miles back to Cold Mountain. During his journey he encounters many obstacles, including having to hide from the Home Guard, who search for Confederate deserters. He temporarily travels with Veasey and Junior, but when they are killed by Home Guard members, Inman is forced to play dead in order to survive. Eventually, Inman finds his way back into Ada's arms.

After Ada's father dies, she begins having trouble supporting herself until she meets the homeless, but practical and resourceful Ruby. The two women set up a functional household and slowly become friends. When Ada is eventually reunited with Inman, Ruby worries that Ada will abandon her, but Ada reassures her.

1. "You're left with only your scars to mark the void. All you can choose to do is go on or not. But if you go on, it's knowing you carry your scars with you." —InmanChristel Quotes: Quotes
2. "Cold Mountain, all its ridges and coves and watercourses. Pigeon River, Little East Fork, Sorrell Cove, Deep Gap, Fire Scald Ridge. He knew their names and said them to himself like the words of spells and incantations to ward off the things one fears most." — InmanNew York Times: Cold Mountain