The Women: A Novel

A well written and engaging story that represents the silent strength and pain of women. A must read for everyone.

I have read several Kristen Hannah books in the past and have enjoyed them all. Yet, when friends in my social groups began to rave about Kristen's latest book, The Women, I hesitated to read it. I was afraid it would trigger anxiety and questions about my self-worth. I used to be an Army nurse, received my education through Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing, and am considered a Vietnam Era veteran as I joined the ANC in 1974. However, I never served "in-country" and often felt unworthy to be recognized as I did not have combat nursing experience. I am extremely grateful for the experience I received both as an Army student nurse and my 13 years of ANC nursing experience. Without the Army, I could never afford college and, therefore, would not have become a nurse. In Delano Hall, where our nursing classes were held, there is a room affectionately known as the "dead" room. On the walls were portraits of nurses "Killed in Action" or KIA. I use to stare at those pictures and both dred failing my classes as rumor had it you would be deployed to a war zone, at the same time I bemoaned the end of the war as I would never win the respect a combat nurse commanded. In my first assignment post graduation from nursing school, I used to wonder nightly if Maryland made a mistake granting me a license! I was sure it was obvious to everyone on my unit that I didn't have a clue as to how to do my job! Especially as I was put in charge of nursing supervision, my third night on duty! I was a nervous wreck until my third year of post-graduate nursing! I finally decided to read The Women during a Kindle Reading challenge. The challenge to read a 2024 Amazon Editor's Choice Best Novel of 2024 was made simpler as I already had The Women by Kristin Hannah in my library. I knew I was going to love this book when I read the statement made at Frankie's brother's going away party - "Women can be heroes, too." This matter of fact acknowledgment that women could be honored as much as men was the impetuous to Frankie volunteering to join the ANC. Frankie was gobsmacked by this easy acceptance of women's worth. Immediately, I remember the recruiter who introduced me to the WRAIN program that changed the trajectory of my life back in my freshman high school days in 1970. Until that time, I never dreamed I could receive a four year college education and get my nursing license. Women in my family never went away to college. It was just too expensive. I could relate to Frankie's astonishment that a male acquaintance would openly declare his belief in women's equality. I was smiling through my tears as I read that scene. Kristen's story was made even more intense and powerful as she vividly described Frankie's arrival in Veitnam during a red alert. Later, I was surprised to find the words blurring as I read about operating on the mud floor of a tent under the operating table while holding a flashlight in her mouth; as bombs exploded around her! The blurred vision was not a spot on my glasses but tears that were pouring from me in response to Kristen Hannah's moving word choice. Despite being an avid and fast reader who can usually finish one book a day, The Women was so emotionally intense I had to take frequent breaks, sometimes as long as 24 hours , before I was calm enough to read it the book again. Kristen perfectly portrayed the problems female veterans have getting adequate health care open return home. I began to scream in anger when Frankie was told that there were no women serving in Veitnam! The ignorance that women veterans were forced to deal with was appalling. However, I was pleased at how detailed and factual Kristen's account was of Frankie's encounters with VA. Kristen's research was impeccable. The characters in The Women were well-developed and relatable. The commonalities and differences between Frankie and her two besties, economically, beliefs, and even romances helped to keep the story moving. I especially loved the sisterhood that developed because of shared experiences of the war. The lifelong friendships I developed during my years in the ANC are some of my fondest memories. I am really glad I finally read this book. It brought back memories both good and bad of my time in service. It helped me to accurately voice some of my buried issues from that time, and I believe I am healthier since reading this magnificently written story! Thank you, Kristen. It was an intense journey, but I believe at least for myself, I came out better mentally and emotionally for having read The Women.

Kristin Hannah is back, baby!!! In a world where The Nightingale is numero uno I am here to tell you The Women gives it a run for its money! What an emotional rollercoaster ride! In true Hannah fashion, she rips your heart apart and mends it back together but with this one she did it to me several times. In a span of two pages, mine was pieced together just to be shattered again. But the ending. Oh my goodness. That ending. 🥺❤️ Historical fiction has always been a favorite of mine, but the last year or so I haven't really focused on it. I knew when I saw this book releasing I was going to read it and with the high praise I saw right off the bat even before its release, I had a feeling I, too, was going to love it. But I also was hesitant, because Historical Fiction hasn't been my go to lately. It can seem daunting to me at times. They are usually based on true stories and real people, so you know it is going to be an emotional ride. You just don't know if you are ready to embark on that journey or not. If you know what I am talking about or have felt similar, I am here to tell you, do not let that hold you back on reading this book! This book has the emotions of a romance novel, the edge of your seat tension like a thriller, and it is an absolutely must read for everyone! Please don't let this one pass you by. Even if historical fiction is not your normal go to genre, I promise this one is worth it! Hannah's writing is something magical. You are immediately hooked and transported to this world she has created on page one. In our world of reading books, there are good writers, there are bad writers, and then there are phenomenal writers. And Kristin Hannah, my friends, is a phenomenal writer!! When you read her books, you are seeing the words play out inside your head so easily, you feel like you are watching a movie. She is cinematic and that is how I know this book is going to translate so well to screen. How can it not with the foundation she has provided them?? (Yes, Warner Bros. has picked this up for a film! 🙌) So many HF novels focus on WWII. I love those books just as much as the next person, but it is so refreshing to get a different time period, especially from a queen like Hannah. I know nothing of the Vietnam War. I do remember seeing footage of how some people reacted and their opinions of the war, but not to the depths this book takes you on. Or how women were treated that were veterans in this war. That was eye-opening and heart wrenching, but sadly not surprising. Yes, this felt personally for me. As a nurse and a former ICU nurse, I love when we get a protagonist that is also in my field. But this book gutted me and made it feel like Hannah personally dug deep into my soul and stirred up feelings I had buried down deep with this one. I was wrecked. Like sitting in a Mexican restaurant with people all around with tears streaming down my face wrecked while reading this book. I can't tell you the last time a book emotionally wrecked me like this one did. Now I am not saying everyone will have that visceral reaction. In fact most probably won't, but I am just telling you that is the response this book got from me. 😅 As usual, I went in blind not knowing what this book was about. I saw high praise and great feedback so I was excited, but like I said earlier I wasn't expecting this response from reading it. If you'd like to know a short synopsis of the book, it centers around a combat nurse, Frankie, who as recently graduated from nursing school, and despite her parents' protests and disappointment she has joined the Army to assist as a combat nurse in the Vietnam War. You watch Frankie transform from a naive, young girl who is in way over her head into a straight rockstar and that is something I think everyone in our field can relate to despite all of us not being in a similar predicament she is in. It is divided into two parts. Frankie's experience during the war and when she comes home. That was another unique take that I appreciated from the author. So many books stay in the combat part of war. Rarely have I read one where you go with the protagonist when they come back home and deal with the "After" part. There are some triggers, so if you want to know more about those feel free to reach out! I've never read a book centered around the Vietnam War, so I am extremely grateful Hannah chose this time period to write this amazing novel. And if you haven't gathered it already, I highly recommend this book for everyone. You are simply doing yourself a disservice if you skip over it. Period. **Also fun fact and as if i couldn't love this book anymore, my name made an appearance in the book. Granted it was spelled different (Celine), but it was still a pleasant surprise. ☺️

I’ve come to Kristen Hannah later than many readers, and I’m grateful I did. There’s a maturity in encountering her work now that makes her themes land with particular force. This novel follows what has become a familiar—and effective—formula for her: a story centered on women, grounded in history, and driven by deeply textured relationships. It’s a formula she excels at. What I love most about Hannah’s writing is the way her relationships feel lived-in. The friendships in this book carry the weight, complexity, and intimacy of real bonds—the kind you recognize instantly, whether or not you’ve had relationships exactly like them. The mother-daughter dynamic, in particular, rang with humanity and realism. Even if your own experience looks nothing like theirs, it’s a relationship you understand. I rooted for both women, and I wasn’t disappointed. As she often does, Hannah selects a historically significant moment and weaves life into it by blending documented events with a fictional cast. This is very much her genre, and she handles it with confidence and care. Centering the story on women who served as Army nurses in Vietnam—veterans in every meaningful sense—felt both necessary and overdue. The time period brushes up against multiple pivotal moments in American history, and the novel doesn’t shy away from the cultural, political, or emotional consequences of that era. One of the book’s greatest strengths is how it addresses PTSD in women in a way that feels real—almost tangible. The story’s structure, divided loosely into the before, the during, and the after, works especially well. The section covering her service in Vietnam is substantial, and rightly so. By the time it ends, you fully understand how two years can irrevocably alter the trajectory of an entire life. If I had a critique—and it’s a gentle one—it would be about the ending. There were several moments earlier where the novel could have ended beautifully, trusting the reader with ambiguity. I found myself wishing Hannah had allowed for a bit more restraint at the very end. The conclusion delivered what I hoped for emotionally, but I think it might have been even more powerful had it relied on implication rather than full explanation—perhaps even something as simple as the absence of a name. That kind of ambiguity could have given the characters room to breathe beyond the final page, allowing readers to imagine multiple futures instead of one definitive resolution. That said, this is very much a matter of taste. Overall, this was a thoughtful, important, and deeply engaging read—one of those books I’m genuinely glad I spent time with. It lingered with me, and that alone speaks to its power.

Kristen Hannah's skillful storytelling is a joy to experience. She draws the reader into the characters lives and then weaves a masterful story. The heartbreaking and joyful journey of the struggle to become you. Thank you.

This was such a powerful and emotional story. What stood out most to me was the way the book captured the excitement, innocence, and naivety of going off to war without truly understanding the weight of what war does to a person. As the story unfolds, that innocence is stripped away through the horror, trauma, and devastating loss experienced during the war. The transition from youthful optimism to emotional devastation was beautifully written and felt incredibly real. The portrayal of coming home and living with PTSD was especially heartbreaking. The story showed so honestly how war changes people forever and how impossible it can be to return to the person you once were. It was handled with so much dignity, compassion, and honor. Also, being female and living in California, I could vividly picture Frankie’s home life and surroundings, which added another layer of realism for me. Overall, this was a beautifully written, emotional, and unforgettable novel that honored both the sacrifices of war and the lasting scars it leaves behind.

A book that is informative, interesting, funny , sad and at times difficult to read. I took a few breaks while reading this. The heavy subject matter weighed on my heart. I was just a kid during the war but remember my older sister had a POW bracelet. I am a nurse but have never worked under conditions like these nurses did. And then to come home and not even be acknowledged? I enjoyed the story of these women and what they experienced in Vietnam and at home when they returned. This book allowed me to learn of their dedication and sacrifices and they earned my respect as well. Thank you to Kristin Hannah for writing about them and allowing us to learn of their stories.

With over a million reviews there really isn't anything else that can be said about this most amazing book. One of the best books I've ever read in my life and long overdue to be told. The Vietnam War started four years before I was born and ended when I was 16. I recall buying a POW bracelet when I was in middle school and, sadly, not because it really meant anything to me, but because all the kids were doing it. It wasn't until I started high school before I truly understood what it represented. This story makes you feel, as best you can without experiencing it, the entire gambit of what Frankie's life was. I laughed, cried, got pissed off, hopeful and downtrodden and other emotions that I don't have words for. This story reminds us that we need to honor everyone - be it a combat soldier or someone behind the lines. Thank you Kristin Hannah for writing this masterpiece.

Highly recommended.. Serious subject written about with care and the characters were brilliantly portrayed. Was sad to finish this one.

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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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.

Me gustó mucho, la historia es dura, escrita de forma que se lee fácilmente, muchas emociones, toca temas difíciles de forma entretenida y que invita a seguir leyendo.

One of Kristin Hannah best books! Has of all her books had to put down and almost read in just two days. Great insight on not just Vietnam war but on all wars following that one. A book that confirmed all my believes. KH is a great story teller because she uses real life incidents. Her stories are never dull or meaningless.