The Women by Kristin Hannah, 5 Stars

When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these unexpected words, it is a revelation. Raised on idyllic Coronado Island and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing, being a good girl. But in 1965 the world is changing, and she suddenly imagines a different choice for her life. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she impulsively 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, as well as the unexpected trauma of coming home to a changed and politically divided America. 

The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on the story of all women who put themselves in harm’s way to help others. Women whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has all too often been forgotten. A novel of searing insight and lyric beauty, The Women is a profoundly emotional, richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose extraordinary idealism and courage under fire define a generation.

My Review:

Can I give The Women by Kristin Hannah 6 stars? Or 10 or 20? Seriously, Hannah has completely outdone herself yet again. Every time I pick up a new one of hers, I think, well, it’s probably not going to be as good as The Nightingale, or The Great Alone, or The Four Winds. And yet…

Kristin Hannah’s superpower is writing fiction set against the backdrop of real historical moments. Yes, it could be called historical fiction, but I feel like it’s slightly different in that the characters and their stories are more imagined. But that doesn’t mean they feel any less realistic. It’s clear that Hannah does her research before writing her stories.

For me, Vietnam is one of the most fascinating times in U.S. history. It’s also one of the most tumultuous times in recent history. Men and women sacrificing their lives in droves, only to be spat upon when returning home by their progressive, war hating peers. The horror of Vietnam still thunderingly echoes today.

In The Women, Kristin Hannah tells the story of the women at the forefront in Vietnam. There were “no women” in Vietnam, expect the women nurses who were very much at the front lines dealing with horror and destruction every single day. The women who had to be strong to provide hope to men, many of whom would never see another girl again.

The Women is a powerful story, the best book I’ve read this year. I’m jealous of those who get to discover it for the first time on February 4, 2024. Put it on pre-order immediately. You’re gonna want this one the minute it’s available!

Special thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced e-galley in exchange for my honest review.