The Women Paperback – February 8, 2025

War, Love, Family, Friendship—A Story Well ToldThe 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.

If I could give this book more stars I would. As sad as it was it was also a great read! I loved the characters but the story was gripping! Well written from my opinion! I love her stories. Hannah I write so well! Very descriptive so as a reader, I was there!

An absorbing story of a privileged, naive, good-hearted young woman who wants to make a heroic choice to do something of value during a turbulent time in our nation’s history. You see her growth through the horrific atrocities she sees, her attempts to save combat veterans with her team, and to comfort those that are beyond saving. What emerges is the bonds of friendship she develops with the other nurses. She also falls in love for the first time with a man out of reach, and then a second time with a man less honorable. The Vietnam scenes are sometimes horrendous, other times life affirming. But coming home after two years of service was even in many ways more heartbreaking. When we live in uncertain times as we do now in 2025, history teaches us that there were times had been even worse. Such was the times of the late 1960s/early 1970s when our government deceived us about the Vietnam war, but more importantly deceived the troops who were serving. And equally horrific was the reaction of many of our fellow citizens who treated returning troops and medical personnel as the enemy when they were in reality the heroes and the victims to the lies perpetrated. Kristin Hannah does a wonderful job of telling this story through detailed research and empathetic writing. A wonderful book and an important read for all US citizens.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into The Women by Kristin Hannah—this isn’t my usual genre—but I’m really glad I read it. It was emotional, powerful, and full of heavy topics that left an impact.The story follows Frankie, a young nurse who joins the Army during the Vietnam War. Watching her grow, struggle, and navigate both the war and its aftermath was heartbreaking but eye-opening. I didn’t cry like some readers mentioned, but I think that’s because there was so much going on, it felt hard to fully process one thing before another emotional hit came.What stood out the most to me was how much I learned—especially about the role of women during the war and how badly they were treated when they returned home. It made me want to learn more about that time period, and I genuinely hope this story gets adapted into a movie someday. I think it would be an incredibly important and moving film.The writing was beautiful, and the friendships in this book were a bright spot. While the pacing felt overwhelming at times, this was still a powerful and worthwhile read. Definitely one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

A Great read, details, emotions, historical facts, and empathy for life’s journey! A must read for all ages and generations!

Recommended by multiple friends and have since read and recommended it to others. Weaves characters you must care about throughout time and across locations forcing you to binge read. So many messages and so many emotions. Then a plot twist or two. This should be your next book.

So beautifully written and heart wrenching. The pain and the memories break your heart. This book is a must read, no matter how hard it gets - the women had it harder.

I was really drawn into this story. Although my husband fought in Vietnam I was unaware of the struggles the women there had or the horrors they endured. This novel was a real eye opener as well as a gripping story!