The Women: A Novel

The Women by Kristin Hannah is a powerful and emotional novel about courage, sacrifice, and the often-overlooked role of women in history. The story follows Frankie McGrath, a young woman who leaves her comfortable life to serve as a nurse during the Vietnam War. At first, Frankie is unsure of herself, but the war changes her. Through her experiences, she becomes stronger, braver, and more confident. Kristin Hannah does a great job showing how difficult and dangerous the war was, especially for the women who worked as nurses under constant pressure and fear. One of the strongest parts of the book is how it shows what happens after the war. Frankie and other women return home expecting gratitude, but instead they face silence and misunderstanding. The novel highlights how women veterans were often ignored and how hard it was for them to heal and rebuild their lives. Kristin Hannah’s writing is clear, emotional, and easy to follow. She brings the characters to life and makes the reader feel their pain, love, and hope. The story is heartbreaking at times, but also inspiring. Overall, The Women is a meaningful and unforgettable book. It is a great choice for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, emotional stories, or books about strong women. It reminds us that women were there too—and that their stories deserve to be remembered.

The Women is a fascinating story that takes you through the devastating moments of the Vietnam War as well as the lighthearted moments that helped all involved keep going. From the first steps of deciding to join the war effort, to surviving the horrors of war, to the painful lack of a hero's return, PTSD, and working to reconcile all that happened and begin a new life, Kristin Hannah covered it all! This novel makes me want to learn more about that time period. War should never be entered into lightly, and the public should always be questioning whether our family members should be sent to fight. The cause needs to be honorable. I highly recommend reading The Women and learning more about the consequences of warfare. Those who fight for us need our support while serving and when they return.

War, Love, Family, Friendship—A Story Well Told The Women, by Kristin Hannah focuses on Frankie McGrath, an idealistic, but naïve, young (21 years old when we meet her) nurse who decides to enlist in the US Army so that she can serve as a nurse in Vietnam at the height of the Vietnam war. She has absolutely no idea what she’s getting into and her basic training doesn’t come close to preparing her for what she is about to encounter. Her time in Vietnam is harrowing. Hannah gives us a deep dive into the geography, climate, wartime conditions, abject fear, and gut-wrenching conditions of the hospitals. Let’s just say, it is all awful. At the same time, she makes friends with nurses and others with whom she forms close bonds. In addition and not surprisingly, several men focus intently on her and her relationships with them are as life altering as her time in Vietnam. She was as prepared to deal with the men as she was prepared to deal with the war. Upon her return to the US, she is surprised at the hostility shown toward her and other Vietnam veterans. Also, she is greatly surprised at the utter indifference of her family and high school and country club friends to her time in Vietnam. She suffers tremendously from PTSD. I won’t go into the details, but she hits rock bottom, more than once. I don’t say this lightly, this is an excellent piece of historical fiction. Hannah compels you to turn the page and the emotional wreckage, and twists and turns are plentiful and believable. I’ve read other war fiction and non-fiction (and written some) but Hannah‘s fictional accounts of the field hospitals are informative, stomach-churning and believable. Hannah has a particular sensitivity toward Frankie and the changes wrought upon her as a result of her experiences. So many things occur in this book, it would be unfair for me to describe them as that would give away the plentiful and great plot twists. Everything about Frankie’s life is turned on its head and all we want to do is root for her. This book is an excellent war story, coming-of-age story, romance, daughter-parents tale, buddy story, and character and plot driven novel. I loved it. Highly recommended.

I admit I'm not an emotional reader. It takes a lot me make me shed tears while reading, but the ending of this book was surprisinly emotional for me. I love reading historical novels, but I knew little about the Vietnam War and its outcomes to the soldiers and nurses who ventured in there in service. A really good book that like many other that I've been reading, show the forgotten role of women in wars that marked a whole generation.

This is another beautiful book by Kristin Hannah. The story follows Frankie McGrath; from her optimistic, voluntary enlistment as a nurse in the Vietnam War, through her harrowing experiences during the chaos of war, to her devastating return home and spiral to rock bottom. The characters are raw, the scenes dramatic yet real, and the storylines honest and thought provoking. The view of women in the Vietnam War is overlooked and forgotten, but Kristin Hannah shines a light on this important area with her eloquent story telling, vivid descriptions and accurate research. A book that will keep you turning the pages, and satisfyingly truly follows a character's development from beginning to end.

Wow, me encantó. Lo leí rapidísimo. La historia de las mujeres en la guerra de Vietnam es super inspiradora y cruda. Este libro despierta muchas emociones.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Riveting Tribute to Courage and Sisterhood The Women by Kristin Hannah is an extraordinary novel that immerses readers in the untold stories of women who served in the Vietnam War. Through the eyes of Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young nurse from a privileged background, we witness her transformation as she leaves behind her sheltered life to serve in a war-torn country. The narrative delves deep into her experiences, capturing the chaos and camaraderie of the battlefield, as well as the profound challenges faced upon returning home. Hannah masterfully portrays the complexities of war, not just in combat but in the emotional and psychological toll it takes on those who serve. The bond between Frankie and her fellow nurses, Barb and Ethel, is heartwarming and authentic, showcasing the strength found in sisterhood amidst adversity. The novel also addresses the often-overlooked contributions of women in the military, shedding light on their sacrifices and the struggles they faced both during and after the war. The writing is evocative, drawing readers into the turbulent era with vivid descriptions and compelling characters. Hannah’s meticulous research and attention to detail bring authenticity to the story, making it both informative and deeply moving. The Women is a testament to resilience, friendship, and the enduring spirit of those who serve. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction that honors the unsung heroes of our past.

The cause driving Kristin's books is compelling and sadly still rife: the relegation of women's visibility and contribution to society to the back of our conscious world. Her stories are beautifully told. And I mean really beautifully told. An unusual and credible realism also underpins her prose. This is gender-free story-telling of the highest quality. Her characterisation is devoid of stereotyping, sensitive and totally believable. Amazing !!! And what i discovered about military nurses in the Vietnam war.... Also read her book on the French resistance, which had me crying. Kristin: Thank you. You are a genius ♥️. Tom (a youthful 70 year old !)