The Women

The Women

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  • Create Date:2024-01-07 04:21:45
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Kristin Hannah
  • ISBN:B0C1X97LW7
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah's The Women—at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided。

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 over- whelmed 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 gone 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 has 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。

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Reviews

Lexie

this book was incredible。 I had no idea the toll the vietnam war took。 the main character, frankie was so strong and I found myself rooting for her happy ending time and time again。 the authors note at the end had me in tears 😭 highly recommend, thank you to net galley for the arc!

Heather~ Nature。books。and。coffee

The Great Alone was my first and only book I read by Kristin Hannah until this one。 That was one of my favorite books, and now this is also one of my favorites。 If you enjoy historical fiction and also love to learn about things that aren't often talked about, then you'll want to grab this book。 I loved learning about these strong women who put their lives on the line to fight in the Vietnam war, and the troubles they went through AFTER the war。 This book was so well written and Hannah has such The Great Alone was my first and only book I read by Kristin Hannah until this one。 That was one of my favorite books, and now this is also one of my favorites。 If you enjoy historical fiction and also love to learn about things that aren't often talked about, then you'll want to grab this book。 I loved learning about these strong women who put their lives on the line to fight in the Vietnam war, and the troubles they went through AFTER the war。 This book was so well written and Hannah has such a way with her stories that you just get swept up in the story。 I read this one so fast!! The story is about 20 yr old Frances McGrath who joins the Army Nurse Corps during the beginning of the Vietnam war, after her brother leaves to fight in the war! While there, she witnesses chaos, destruction, and death。  She forms strong bonds of friendship with other women/nurses she meets。 These friends will help her throughout her journey even after she returns home。 Out February 6。Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more

Sam

•Book Review•⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My thoughts ⬇️I was excited to read this one。 My goal last year was to read all of her books and I did that! So getting my hands on this one first thing only seemed fitting。 This book was nothing short of incredible。 Best Kristin Hannah book yet and I can say that because I’ve read them all!!A mix of seriousness mixed with romance。Frankie had a powerful, badass role…which I think us all woman love to see!Barb is great period。 And Rye if you know you know •A great reminder •Book Review•⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My thoughts ⬇️I was excited to read this one。 My goal last year was to read all of her books and I did that! So getting my hands on this one first thing only seemed fitting。 This book was nothing short of incredible。 Best Kristin Hannah book yet and I can say that because I’ve read them all!!A mix of seriousness mixed with romance。Frankie had a powerful, badass role…which I think us all woman love to see!Barb is great period。 And Rye if you know you know •A great reminder that women can be heroes too。 •👉🏼 QOTD: Who is your hero? Narrator : Julia Whelan - was great Author: @kristinhannahauthor Macamillan Audio : @macmillan。audio Pub date Feb 6, 2024 #bookreview #books #powerful #strongwomen #inspirational 。。。more

Kay H

RTC

Lee-Ann Gaudette

MY FIRST READ OF 2024 IS COMPLETE!!!!Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review。 Frankie comes from a wealthy family and her parents are very concerned about their reputation and what others think。 They are attending a party just prior to Frankie's brother shipping off to Vietnam when a gentleman tells Frankie that "women can be heroes too" and that is when this quiet gentle nursing student decides to sign up to serve in Vietnam。 Her parents are not happ MY FIRST READ OF 2024 IS COMPLETE!!!!Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review。 Frankie comes from a wealthy family and her parents are very concerned about their reputation and what others think。 They are attending a party just prior to Frankie's brother shipping off to Vietnam when a gentleman tells Frankie that "women can be heroes too" and that is when this quiet gentle nursing student decides to sign up to serve in Vietnam。 Her parents are not happy about it at all but Frankie is 20 yrs old and can make her own decisions。 I loved the first part of this book as the story was told while Frankie was in Vietnam experiencing war and saving as many lives as should could and learning lots along the way。 Of course there were the lives she could not save as well which was heartbreaking。 I wish the story was spent more in Vietnam。 However once the story moved back to the USA, it became a little political and I know that is how it was back in those days but I wanted this to be a different kind of story without all the politics。 The middle part was slow and a little boring and then the end part started to pick up again。 Overall I liked this book and I am a huge Kristin Hannah fan but with all the hype on this one I was expecting a higher rating out of myself。 Enjoy!!! 。。。more

lovemyshelf

This book could not be better。 I laughed, cried, and suffered along with the Frankie, the main character。 It ripped my heart to the depths to discover just how horrible women were treated and how nonsensical and barbaric the Vietnam War was。 It also baffles me that it is one of the happiest times of the book。 I learned and experienced so much in reading this book, I feel like it deserves a Noble Prize in Literature for opening the eyes of the modern generation to such a harrowing time in our rec This book could not be better。 I laughed, cried, and suffered along with the Frankie, the main character。 It ripped my heart to the depths to discover just how horrible women were treated and how nonsensical and barbaric the Vietnam War was。 It also baffles me that it is one of the happiest times of the book。 I learned and experienced so much in reading this book, I feel like it deserves a Noble Prize in Literature for opening the eyes of the modern generation to such a harrowing time in our recent history。 I could not have loved this book more and I don’t think I will ever forget it。 My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and St。 Martin’s Press for the privilege of this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more

Patricia Raffauf

This book has moved me to tears more times than I can say。 Kristin Hannah has done it again。 This is a five star read, and if I could give it more than five stars I would。 It’s such an eye-opening read about Vietnam and those who fought for our country and came home only to be treated with such horrible distain and disgust。The story revolves around Frances, a。k。a。 Frankie, a nurse; a combat nurse who served two tours of duty, and saw so much pain and suffering in Vietnam。 At the same time she ha This book has moved me to tears more times than I can say。 Kristin Hannah has done it again。 This is a five star read, and if I could give it more than five stars I would。 It’s such an eye-opening read about Vietnam and those who fought for our country and came home only to be treated with such horrible distain and disgust。The story revolves around Frances, a。k。a。 Frankie, a nurse; a combat nurse who served two tours of duty, and saw so much pain and suffering in Vietnam。 At the same time she has such a great camaraderie with her colleagues, and two of her very best friends, who she works side-by-side with Barb and Ethel。 Their friendship is steadfast and they are there for each other for every minute of the hell that they endured and the hell they have endured in coming back home。 The hell in which so many people treated them so horrible。 Even Frankie‘s own family lied about where she had been。 There was no pride of serving your country during that time。 This book will stay with me for a very long time。Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this incredibly moving story。 。。。more

Shanereads

I love to read Kristin Hannah's books, and this is no exception。One of my favorite all time books is The Great Alone, also by Kristin Hannah, and it is pretty difficult book to top。 While this is not one of my favorite books she has written, I did still enjoy it。The Women follows Frankie as she enlists with the Army to become a nurse in Vietnam。 She serves two tours in Vietnam, and saves countless lives with the help of the other nurses, whom she forms close relationships with。Where the story re I love to read Kristin Hannah's books, and this is no exception。One of my favorite all time books is The Great Alone, also by Kristin Hannah, and it is pretty difficult book to top。 While this is not one of my favorite books she has written, I did still enjoy it。The Women follows Frankie as she enlists with the Army to become a nurse in Vietnam。 She serves two tours in Vietnam, and saves countless lives with the help of the other nurses, whom she forms close relationships with。Where the story really picked up for me was when Frankie arrived home to an angry US where her service was not honored, and was more often denied completely。 Many people did not believe her that she was in Vietnam at all。 As a young millenial I did not learn history in school past WW2 and have recently read a couple of historical fiction books about the Vietnam War。 It is fascinating to me, all of the things I am learning, and what women in particular went through, trying to serve our country。Booksellers, this is a great hand sell with books like Absolution and Good Night Irene。This review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review。 Huge thanks to Netgalley and St。 Martins Press for my review copy。 。。。more

Sam

•Book Review•⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My thoughts ⬇️I was excited to read this one。 My goal last year was to read all of her books and I did that! So getting my hands on this one first thing only seemed fitting。 This book was nothing short of incredible。 Best Kristin Hannah book yet and I can say that because I’ve read them all!!A mix of seriousness mixed with romance。Frankie had a powerful, badass role…which I think us all woman love to see!Barb is great period。 And Rye if you know you know •A great reminder •Book Review•⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My thoughts ⬇️I was excited to read this one。 My goal last year was to read all of her books and I did that! So getting my hands on this one first thing only seemed fitting。 This book was nothing short of incredible。 Best Kristin Hannah book yet and I can say that because I’ve read them all!!A mix of seriousness mixed with romance。Frankie had a powerful, badass role…which I think us all woman love to see!Barb is great period。 And Rye if you know you know •A great reminder that women can be heroes too。 •👉🏼 QOTD: Who is your hero? Narrator : Julia Whelan - was great Author: Kristin Hannah Macamillan Audio : @Macmillan。AudioPub date Feb 6, 2024 #bookreview #books #powerful #strongwomen #inspirational 。。。more

Stella

Loved the book, the characters & the feels!

Anna Loder

Could not have loved it more。 This is exactly what I want from historical fiction, I now feel I have friends that served in Vietnam。 For such harrowing subject matter it was also such enjoyable reading。 I loved the women

Donna Davis

4。5, rounded up。 Full review will be up before the pub date。

Lindsay (lindsaysalwaysreading) Burns

I was excited to receive an ARC of this novel as I have loved Kristin Hannah since The Nightingale and The Great Alone。 I feel like I will be in the minority, but I have very mixed feelings about this one。 Hannah picked an important topic, the forgotten women of the Vietnam war, and clearly did her research well。 I learned about the war, and the social implications of it both during and after。 I enjoyed reading about Frankie’s experience serving as a nurse, and the morbid ‘glamour’ of the advent I was excited to receive an ARC of this novel as I have loved Kristin Hannah since The Nightingale and The Great Alone。 I feel like I will be in the minority, but I have very mixed feelings about this one。 Hannah picked an important topic, the forgotten women of the Vietnam war, and clearly did her research well。 I learned about the war, and the social implications of it both during and after。 I enjoyed reading about Frankie’s experience serving as a nurse, and the morbid ‘glamour’ of the adventure。 The first hundred pages or so were enjoyable to read。 However, this story was very melodramatic。 It heavily focused on the romance aspect of it, and lacked the depth and grit I would have liked for this topic。 There was really only one ‘curiosity seed’ planted early on that kept me reading (which happened as predicted)。 I sometimes question more experienced authors as it seems they simply learn the formula for what sells, and lose the heart of storytelling。 This book was just so formulaic, cliché heavy, and surface level。 I do think that those who love historical fiction and romance will like this one, but if you need more grit like I do I wouldn’t recommend it。Thank you to NetGalley and St。 Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel。 。。。more

Cori

4。5 Stars! This book immediately drew me in。 Frankie is a 21 year old that signs up to go to Vietnam as a nurse and she sees her fair share of things during the war。 She makes friendships and I could not stop reading the first half with what happens。The 2nd half of the book was a bit slower for me at a few points as she adjusts to life at home after the war, and the view of other Americans about what she went through。 I liked this journey and was rooting for her all along。 Having finished the bo 4。5 Stars! This book immediately drew me in。 Frankie is a 21 year old that signs up to go to Vietnam as a nurse and she sees her fair share of things during the war。 She makes friendships and I could not stop reading the first half with what happens。The 2nd half of the book was a bit slower for me at a few points as she adjusts to life at home after the war, and the view of other Americans about what she went through。 I liked this journey and was rooting for her all along。 Having finished the book I understand what the author included all of the details that she did。 The title of this book has so much meaning as well and I will be recommending this book to others! Look for this book in February 2024 and thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read and listen to this book! I couldn't put this book down! 。。。more

Jenn

I have to gather my thoughts but wow Kristin Hannah hit it out of the park and my eyeballs are leaking。

Erin Clark

This book is a must read。 It is the story of a young woman Frankie McGrath who in the 1960's wants to make a positive difference in the world as a combat nurse during the Viet Nam War。 A strong theme throughout the book is 'Women can be Heroes too'。 What she finds when she finally gets to Viet Nam is shocking, harrowing and not what she expected at all。 She is thrown directly into brutal war time and scrambles to keep up using her nursing skills。 She makes two very close friends who become lifet This book is a must read。 It is the story of a young woman Frankie McGrath who in the 1960's wants to make a positive difference in the world as a combat nurse during the Viet Nam War。 A strong theme throughout the book is 'Women can be Heroes too'。 What she finds when she finally gets to Viet Nam is shocking, harrowing and not what she expected at all。 She is thrown directly into brutal war time and scrambles to keep up using her nursing skills。 She makes two very close friends who become lifetime besties, Ethel and Barb。 These friends will stick together through thick and thin for the rest of their lives。 She also falls in love, but cannot act on this feeling because the surgeon she loves is married。 As the war rages on Frankie's eyes are opened to the lies of the American government who keep telling the American people that they are winning the war when clearly as Frankie can see by all the casualties they are not。 After two years in Viet Nam she returns to the states to a total lack of welcome from not only her family but society。 Frankie along with so many war veterans are tortured by nightmares, visions and terrible memories, what we now call PTSD。 When she tries to get help from the Veterans Administration she is told that no women served in Viet Nam and they cannot help her。 As Frankie spirals downward we see how horribly America treated veterans returning from this terrible and unfortunate war。 The good news if that she does persevere and climbs out of her dire straits with the help of her friends。 I loved this book。 It has so much to teach us and is incredibly well researched。 I cannot recommend this book highly enough, Every American should read it。 A huge thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to listen/read the ARC audio version of this phenomenal book。 。。。more

Kristen Purcell

4。5 stars rounded up to 5! Kristin Hannah has an exceptional talent of presenting a well researched and very complex topic in such a captivating story。 Normally it may take me awhile to get into her books, but this one takes off quickly and is action packed in the first half。 My only complaint was that the pacing really slowed down around 50-75% of the book。 Overall, I loved this book。 It is heavy, and it is an emotional rollercoaster。 It was so eye opening to read about the women in the Vietnam 4。5 stars rounded up to 5! Kristin Hannah has an exceptional talent of presenting a well researched and very complex topic in such a captivating story。 Normally it may take me awhile to get into her books, but this one takes off quickly and is action packed in the first half。 My only complaint was that the pacing really slowed down around 50-75% of the book。 Overall, I loved this book。 It is heavy, and it is an emotional rollercoaster。 It was so eye opening to read about the women in the Vietnam War who I didn’t know much about previously。 Their stories are devastatingly heroic。 I cried too many times to count。There were two particular themes in the book that really stood out to me: (1) finding joy in times of despair/war and (2) women supporting women (!!!!)。 Frankie is a compassionate strong main character, and her character growth is one of the best I’ve ever seen。 Some of my favorite parts of the book were moments with Barb and Ethel and seeing them show up for each other again and again。 All I can say is Kristin Hannah has done it yet again! 👏👏👏Thank you to Kristin Hannah, St。 Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book! 。。。more

Lizi B Housenumber71

What a brilliant read! Frances McGrath has signed up to the army, she's off to Vietnam and her life will change, but so will her family, her friends, her ideals and morals and her country。 Based on truth ut written in through a fictional character Kristin Hannah has tackled the subject of women muses in Vietnam with such a raw frankness that the story is a compelling read。 Being British, I had small knowledge of the america and the Vietnam war。 I had no knowledge of the female nurses and was sim What a brilliant read! Frances McGrath has signed up to the army, she's off to Vietnam and her life will change, but so will her family, her friends, her ideals and morals and her country。 Based on truth ut written in through a fictional character Kristin Hannah has tackled the subject of women muses in Vietnam with such a raw frankness that the story is a compelling read。 Being British, I had small knowledge of the america and the Vietnam war。 I had no knowledge of the female nurses and was simply blown away by this book。 It's grilling and gritty but not a taxing read, because you get so deep into the characters and care so much about Frances。 Hannah writes with such ease, the whole story ebbs and flows brilliantly。 I laughed, I cried, I swore and I couldn't believe it。 I'm partial to lighthearted read, and whilst this is definitely no rom-com, it is phenomenal。 I wholeheartedly recommend this book。 。。。more

Gail

I have enjoyed any book that I have read by Kristin Hannah, but her books starting with The Nightingale have shown that she has real writing chops。 This one may be the best of all her books。 She says in the notes that she has been thinking of this story since the 1990s, but didn’t feel she had the skill to do it justice until now。 She certainly has the skill now。 This book is extraordinary。 My first book of 2024 may just end up being the best I read all year。 It is certainly one that has given m I have enjoyed any book that I have read by Kristin Hannah, but her books starting with The Nightingale have shown that she has real writing chops。 This one may be the best of all her books。 She says in the notes that she has been thinking of this story since the 1990s, but didn’t feel she had the skill to do it justice until now。 She certainly has the skill now。 This book is extraordinary。 My first book of 2024 may just end up being the best I read all year。 It is certainly one that has given me a great start to a new reading year! 。。。more

Chelsea Pittman

At 15 hours, this is a long audiobook。 Usually I love long books because I don't want the book to end but this felt a little bit drawn out to me。 That isn't to say nothing happens in the story。 A LOT happens。 Maybe too much? I think some revising would benefit the story and poor Frankie。 The narrator, Julia Whelan, is a favorite of mine and she did a good job!I understand I may be in the minority here but some of this book was so cheesy and predictable that I rolled my eyes several times。 But my At 15 hours, this is a long audiobook。 Usually I love long books because I don't want the book to end but this felt a little bit drawn out to me。 That isn't to say nothing happens in the story。 A LOT happens。 Maybe too much? I think some revising would benefit the story and poor Frankie。 The narrator, Julia Whelan, is a favorite of mine and she did a good job!I understand I may be in the minority here but some of this book was so cheesy and predictable that I rolled my eyes several times。 But my biggest issue with the book is the title。 The Women。 Implying more than one woman。 So why wasn't this story told in multiple POVs。 Such as Frankie, Ethel, and Barbara。 You could even have Frankie's mom or someone who didn't go to war to show how things were at home。 Also, I think it would have been nice to show a Vietnamese woman's perspective。 Instead, we got a very particular view from a rich, white woman。 I think this change would've made the book so much more interesting and well rounded。 Frankie fell in love and lost her "love" so many times that it felt like a lifetime movie for me。 Also, some parts were so repetitive。 I don't want to spoil it but the same situations over and over again。 I greatly appreciate the work put into this novel。 I love that the author showed a timeline of what was going on in and out of the war。 The progression of the soliders/nurses being "heroes" to "baby killers" and how Barb fought to question the war。 I think that showed great character growth and relayed what so many people were thinking。 War isn't a black and white issue, obviously。 I appreciate the respect the author showed for the men and women that served and lost their lives。 I was curious about the narrative that there were no women in Vietnam。 How could anyone think that? It is a widely known thing that women were nurses during the war。 I had a hard time wrapping my head around that and questioned if it were true。 But the author says at the end of the book that she heard from several women that they were told this when returning。 The men in this book are mostly horrible except Henry。 I struggle with what rating to give this book。 So much work has been put into it but there were things I majorly disliked。 And I wish parts were different to make it less "cheesy。" But maybe it is hard not to have some cheesy moments when writing something as serious as wartime history。 There are stereotypes and tropes that just go with wartime and maybe the author couldn't get away from it。 I believe my true rating is 3。5 but I will round up to 4 for all the hard work and time put into writing it。 If you enjoy historical fiction and wartime stories, I think you'll enjoy reading The Women by Kristin Hannah。 Thank you to NetGalley, Kristin Hannah and Macmillan audio for the opportunity to listen! I have written this review voluntarily。 。。。more

Erin Clark

This book is a must read。 It is the story of a young woman Frankie McGrath who in the 1960's wants to make a positive difference in the world as a combat nurse during the Viet Nam War。 A strong theme throughout the book is 'Women can be Heroes too'。 What she finds when she finally gets to Viet Nam is shocking, harrowing and not what she expected at all。 She is thrown directly into brutal war time and scrambles to keep up using her nursing skills。 She makes two very close friends who become lifet This book is a must read。 It is the story of a young woman Frankie McGrath who in the 1960's wants to make a positive difference in the world as a combat nurse during the Viet Nam War。 A strong theme throughout the book is 'Women can be Heroes too'。 What she finds when she finally gets to Viet Nam is shocking, harrowing and not what she expected at all。 She is thrown directly into brutal war time and scrambles to keep up using her nursing skills。 She makes two very close friends who become lifetime besties, Ethel and Barb。 These friends will stick together through thick and thin for the rest of their lives。 She also falls in love, but cannot act on this feeling because the surgeon she loves is married。 As the war rages on Frankie's eyes are opened to the lies of the American government who keep telling the American people that they are winning the war when clearly as Frankie can see by all the casualties they are not。 After two years in Viet Nam she returns to the states to a total lack of welcome from not only her family but society。 Frankie along with so many war veterans are tortured by nightmares, visions and terrible memories, what we now call PTSD。 When she tries to get help from the Veterans Administration she is told that no women served in Viet Nam and they cannot help her。 As Frankie spirals downward we see how horribly America treated veterans returning from this terrible and unfortunate war。 The good news if that she does persevere and climbs out of her dire straits with the help of her friends。 I loved this book。 It has so much to teach us and is incredibly well researched。 I cannot recommend this book highly enough, Every American should read it。 A huge thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to listen/read the ARC audio version of this phenomenal book。 。。。more

Melissa

The Women is an amazing story of heartbreak, courage, friendship, despair and redemption set during and after the Vietnam War。 Kristin Hannah tells the story of Frankie, who enlists in the Army during the Vietnam War to be closer to her brother, who is serving in the Navy。 We follow Frankie during her time in Vietnam。 Once she is back stateside, Frankie's story continues, as she struggles to transition back into civilian life。 Kristin Hannah does an incredible job of describing Frankie's life in The Women is an amazing story of heartbreak, courage, friendship, despair and redemption set during and after the Vietnam War。 Kristin Hannah tells the story of Frankie, who enlists in the Army during the Vietnam War to be closer to her brother, who is serving in the Navy。 We follow Frankie during her time in Vietnam。 Once she is back stateside, Frankie's story continues, as she struggles to transition back into civilian life。 Kristin Hannah does an incredible job of describing Frankie's life in Vietnam。 I really could imagine the sights, noise and even the smell of the makeshift hospitals where Frankie served as a nurse。 Having grown up in the 1980s, I learned so much about the Vietnam War and American's views toward women and the war in the 1960s and early 1970s。 It was really eye opening。 While hard to read at times, this is one of the best books I have ever read。 It's made a lasting impression on me。Thank you to Kristin Hannah, St。 Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book! 。。。more

Jenn

This was my first Kristin Hannah novel。 Oh, my goodness what an amazing, and powerful story。 I felt like I was in Vietnam, experiencing things right along with our protagonist Frankie McGrath。 She signed up to serve in Vietnam as a nurse, following a tradition in her family to serve in the military。 This book explores the realities of the Vietnam war, and the way vets were treated when they returned home。 It spotlights how women's service went unrecognized for a very long time。 Thank you to NetG This was my first Kristin Hannah novel。 Oh, my goodness what an amazing, and powerful story。 I felt like I was in Vietnam, experiencing things right along with our protagonist Frankie McGrath。 She signed up to serve in Vietnam as a nurse, following a tradition in her family to serve in the military。 This book explores the realities of the Vietnam war, and the way vets were treated when they returned home。 It spotlights how women's service went unrecognized for a very long time。 Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the advanced listener copy。 Julia Whelan is an absolutely fabulous narrator as per usual。 。。。more

Kristin

This book and the audio were completely and utterly fantastic。 I lost count of how many times I cried。 I don't know any other author who can create and stir such deep emotions in readers than Kristin Hannah。The way Kristin Hannah wove the narrative of women's role in the Vietnam War and all destruction, heartbreak, loss, and volatile political climate that came along with it was phenomenal。 The time period in American history leaps off the pages and comes alive in the most beautiful and devastat This book and the audio were completely and utterly fantastic。 I lost count of how many times I cried。 I don't know any other author who can create and stir such deep emotions in readers than Kristin Hannah。The way Kristin Hannah wove the narrative of women's role in the Vietnam War and all destruction, heartbreak, loss, and volatile political climate that came along with it was phenomenal。 The time period in American history leaps off the pages and comes alive in the most beautiful and devastating ways。This book is about devastating loss, strong women, finding hope, being brave, being broken, and always believing in love and the human spirit。 This one will stay with you for a long, long time。 It's an absolute must read。 。。。more

Chelsie Jensen

This book pulled me in from the very beginning。 I have read lots of WW2 books but have not read many about the Vietnam war。 Kristen Hannah did not hold back when writing this book。 She tells Frankie’s story so well。 It gave me a new respect for those that have served, men and women。 They do go through a lot。 Do a veteran a favor and thank them for their service。

Nikki

5 stars for Kristan Hannah's latest The Women。 This coming of age story for Vietnam nurse, Frances, "Frankie" McGrath is more than just a story of one woman who goes to war, it shines a light on a politically divided America and it remembers the women who put themselves in harm's way to help others that many wanted to forget。 "Women can be heroes, too" Don't miss this book。 Read it。 5 stars for Kristan Hannah's latest The Women。 This coming of age story for Vietnam nurse, Frances, "Frankie" McGrath is more than just a story of one woman who goes to war, it shines a light on a politically divided America and it remembers the women who put themselves in harm's way to help others that many wanted to forget。 "Women can be heroes, too" Don't miss this book。 Read it。 。。。more

Laurie

Review to follow soon

BeautyntheBook

Did this just become my FAVORITE Kristin Hannah?! I have to unpack this before I write a full review!!!! I LOOOOVED it!

Jelaina Jones

Formulating the words to review and describe this book is proving a Herculean effort。 I was so thankful to receive an ARC。 It's heart-rending detail, it's vivid descriptions, it's spiraling prose taking us from the hell that was Vietnam, to the hell that was the mind of a forgotten veteran - none of what I will ever write will compare。 But here's my review, anyway。。。"Women can be heroes。。。 I mean it Frankie。 It's 1966。 The whole world is changing。" One conversation is all it takes to change the Formulating the words to review and describe this book is proving a Herculean effort。 I was so thankful to receive an ARC。 It's heart-rending detail, it's vivid descriptions, it's spiraling prose taking us from the hell that was Vietnam, to the hell that was the mind of a forgotten veteran - none of what I will ever write will compare。 But here's my review, anyway。。。"Women can be heroes。。。 I mean it Frankie。 It's 1966。 The whole world is changing。" One conversation is all it takes to change the trajectory of Francis "Frankie" McGrath's life。 With one single decision that will alter her life forever, Frankie enlists in the Army, and finds herself in the harsh, unforgiving jungle of Vietnam。 Thrust into a war that has already claimed her brother, a Navy Pilot, Frankie's fledgling nursing skills are no match for the trial-by-fire she receives at the 36th Evac hospital。 Frankie is front and center to unimaginable bloodshed, a harsh reality of war that she has no choice but to adapt to。 Helped along by veteran nurses Ethel and Barb, Frankie spends most days, and nights too, locked in a fierce battle against the horrors of war。 It's in those hectic, bloodsoaked days and nights that Frankie and those around her forge incredible bonds of friendship and love, leaning on one another and making the most of those rare moments of peace。 In Vietnam, Frankie finds herself and her calling: To be a damn good Surgical Nurse。 For three years, Frankie serves as a surgical nurse in the US Army。 She has a front row seat to the horrors of war, holding hands, intestines, dogtags and pictures for the innumerable young men who flow into her OR。 She's seen civilians with napalm burns and crushed limbs, and literally held children as they've died。 Despite all this, Frankie is proud of her service to her country, and to all those she's tried to help, soldiers and civilians alike。But coming home is a different story。 Almost from the second she steps off the plane and back onto US soil, Frankie knows something is off about her homecoming, reality crashing down around her as she's heckled, screamed at and spit on。 For returning veterans like Frankie, the US has no sympathy。 No compassion, and no resources。 Shame。 The emotion wells in Frankie as she attempts to navigate this new world of animosity in a country that refuses to acknowledge those that fought。 For the men, VA hospitals and outreach centers are a refuge。 But for the women, it's like they don't exist。 "Women weren't in 'Nam," repeats like a broken record, shattering Frankie's soul and her sanity。 Little by little, Frankie loses herself, her purpose, and almost her life, finally hitting rock bottom in the form of a 36-hour involuntary。 Eventually, with the help of a few friends and a former lover-turned-therapist, Frankie pieces her world together, one hard-won bit at a time。 This novel was a knock-down, drag-out roller coaster of emotions, with one annoyance。 Not quite knowing where this fits in my review, I'm going to throw it in here because it bugged the crap out of me and I don't want it to overshadow the true magnificence that was The Women。 My one gripe with this novel is this - I really wish Ms。 Hannah would have taken a different route with Rye's storyline。 *Spoiler Ahead*In the beginning of the novel, Rye finds Frankie in her father's study, staring at the "wall of heroes," who happen to all be men。 It's there that Rye tells Frankie "Women can be heroes," and becomes the catalyst for Frankie's enlistment and all that follows。 It's such a powerful scene, that I instantly fell in love with Rye and his character。 He believes in Frankie, giving her her validation she so desperately craved。 So why, chapters later, would the author taint that conversation by allowing Frankie to fall for Rye in Vietnam, believe he was shot down and killed, and then brought back only to find out that he's married with a baby! Then, for them to embark on a torrid love affair while his wife is pregant? Words cannot express how angry I was at this development。 Throughout the novel, Rye is a large driving force to Frankie's actions, both good and bad。 But at the end of the day, by using Rye as the inspiration and destruction of our heroine, the author diluted the one simple message I wanted to walk away with。。。 "Women can be heroes。" So, despite my aggravation regarding the character of Rye, here's the rest of my glowing review - It's depth and emotional turbulance was heavy, and I found myself needing to set this book aside at times before continuing on。 And while the descriptions of war, the vivid imagery used to capture those scenes were horrific and moving, it's truly the second part of Frankie's story that was the hardest to read。 As a nation, the US failed her veterans。 The war that no one wanted became the war that everyone forgot, a stain upon the sterling reputation of the United States that left people ashamed and angry。 None more so than those who served。 It was heartbreaking to read over and over, how Frankie attempted to reach for help, only to be told a different narrative, discounting her story because "there were no women in 'Nam。" I felt Frankie's struggle, her soul-shattering loss。 It was one of the most difficult novels I've ever read。 Frankie's story, of one woman's fight to be not just acknowledged, but validated, while a work of fiction, has given a voice to those women who came before, and hope to all those who are living their own narratives now。 。。。more

Katelyn Populus

Kristin Hannah does it again! This is an amazing story with incredible character development。 I was hooked from the beginning。 This is a heartfelt and heartbreaking novel about a woman in Vietnam, but it’s also so much more than that。 KH writes a character that feels so real, you almost think this story was written by Frankie。 The narrator was great too。 I would probably listen to just about anything she narrates。 I couldn’t put this one up!

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