The Women
by Kristin Hannah
Summary
Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets—and becomes one of—the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.
But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.
The Women is the story of one woman who goes to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country have too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.
GoodReads Winner for Favorite Historical Fiction 2024 and Nominee for Favorite Audiobook 2024
My Review
This was my first book by this author, and I was completely blown away. The story was incredibly compelling, and I absolutely loved the audiobook narrator—one of my favorites—who did not disappoint. I was so captivated by Frankie’s story that I finished the audiobook in just three days, always eager to know what would happen next. There’s some language, but no spicy scenes.
This was also my first time reading a book set during the Vietnam War, and it was eye-opening and incredibly impactful, especially in highlighting the experiences of women during and after the war. The first half of the book follows Frankie as she serves as a nurse in Vietnam, and the second half focuses on her struggles with PTSD after returning to the United States. The writing was raw, emotional, and immersive. I felt like I was right there with Frankie during her time in Vietnam, experiencing the vivid and sometimes gruesome scenes with her (though not overly graphic for me personally).
The second half, set back home, took on more of a historical drama tone with some romance. While still engaging, it didn’t hit as hard as the first half. Even so, I found myself rooting for Frankie’s happiness despite the trauma she endured. The ending wasn’t what I expected, but it was satisfying in its own way.
I loved getting to know Frankie and her friends, especially the bond she shared with Barb and Ethel. Their sisterhood, both in Vietnam and back home, was heartwarming. I also enjoyed the found family aspect with the other soldiers and nurses during the war.
This is not a light-hearted read. It’s gritty, real, and painful, dealing with grief, loss, PTSD, and mental health. It will tear at your heart, but there’s also hope, love, and healing. It’s a powerful story that will stick with me for a very long time. Even months later, certain scenes still linger in my mind.
I can’t wait to read more from this author and highly, highly recommend this book, especially the audiobook. It was amazing!