The Women: The Bestselling, Unforgettable Novel That Has Captured Millions of Hearts

Frankie’s life is supposed to follow a certain path. Raised by conservative parents, Frankie can be a nurse until she catches the eye of a man who will marry her, then they shall make babies and maybe live happily ever after. But when her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, Frankie decides to diverge from the path her parents have laid out for her, and follow her brother’s instead. She joins the Army Nurses Corps and arrives in Vietnam, as green as green can be.Frankie’s experiences in Vietnam are harrowing for sure. The chaos and destruction is utterly overwhelming. It is remarkably easy to visualise these events in front of your eyes. Men who have lost limbs, who are bleeding from brutal wounds, who are calling out for their mothers while they lie dying in the middle of nowhere. Frankie quite quickly adjusts; she has very little choice; and realises being a nurse is definitely her calling. Along the way she makes friends with Ethel and Barb. Two very different ladies from different backgrounds, but this is a friendship forged in extraordinary circumstances and they will pull one another through on many occasions. In the midst of all this destruction, Frankie will find romance but heartbreak also.As distressing as it is to read about these atrocities, what really angered me was what happened when Frankie returned home. There is no heroes welcome. But more than that, there is no help available to her when she starts to struggle. “There were no women in Vietnam”. Not only were the male veterans forgotten, the female ones apparently didn’t even exist. This story isn’t just about Frankie. It’s about all the women who put their lives in danger, who made sacrifices and did their bit in a war many people were opposed to.‘The Women‘ is engrossing from beginning to end and often highly emotional. There were a few times where I thought I’d need a tissue. It’s naturally completely realistic and believable. Apart from the R & R, which I know happened, but it seems entirely surreal. To think you can go spend a week on a nice beach for a break while you’re supposed to be in the middle of a war. I can’t imagine the research that must have gone into this. Frankie and her friends are memorable characters, and even the romance angle had me hooked.Like with any other novel by Kristin Hannah I’ve read, I can never put into words why I love her stories so much and I’m definitely not doing this latest novel any justice. ‘The Women‘ is really and truly historical fiction from the top shelf. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Kristin Hannah. She’s an amazing storyteller and her beautiful writing is just captivating. This story is powerful, full of insight and immensely compelling. A story of survival, and undoubtedly a story that needed to be told for all the heroic women out there. Past, present and future. Highly recommended!

I don’t normally read books set during the war, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’m so glad I picked this one up.It was one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Heartbreaking, emotional, inspiring and beautifully written. I became completely invested in the characters, and the friendship between the women felt so genuine that I found myself laughing with them one minute and close to tears the next.More than anything, this book has made me want to learn more about the real Vietnam War nurses and read their true stories. I had no idea what they endured, both during the war and after they came home, and it’s left a lasting impression on me.I honestly think this would make an incredible film. If you’re looking for a story about courage, friendship, resilience, sacrifice and hope, I couldn’t recommend it more. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.

The Women is an emotional and powerful read that completely drew me in from the start. I absolutely loved the first half of the book. Kristin Hannah builds her characters so beautifully that you become fully invested in their lives, celebrating their highs and feeling every ounce of their pain during the Vietnam War. I knew very little about the war before reading this, so I also found it incredibly informative and appreciated learning about a part of history I’d never really explored.The story is a real rollercoaster of emotions. Kristin Hannah has such a talent for making you care deeply about her characters and keeping you emotionally engaged.For me, though, the second half wasn’t quite as strong. Once Frankie returns home, the story lost some of its momentum. I found that her struggles began to feel repetitive- the cycles of arguing with her parents, spiralling with PTSD, crashing the car, and being rescued by her friends seemed to repeat several times. While I understand this was likely intended to reflect the reality of trauma and recovery, it made this section feel slower and less compelling than the wartime chapters.Overall, The Women is a moving, thought-provoking novel with unforgettable characters and an important story to tell. Although the ending didn’t grip me quite as much as the beginning, it’s still a book I’d recommend, especially if you enjoy emotional historical fiction

An important book that I've glad I've read. I was a true fan of MASH in the '80s, even had the T-shirt and the Martini glass. This was a serious look inside the experience of a female medic during the Vietnam war. It couldn't have been easy to write and it wasn't always easy to read, but it was nevertheless compelling and hard to put down. I was rooting for Frankie all the way and appreciated the stripping away of her personality due to the trauma she'd experienced. A real, raw, insight into the dreadful things war can do to anyone.

Kristen Hannah is such an accomplished and engaging writer. Having just read The Women, I am almost reluctant to start a new book as I can't imagine it will live up to this novel.The first 40% is based on Frankie's experience in Vietnam. After a while, I did find this part of the book slightly repetitive, with graphic descriptions of injured servicemen. I started to wonder where the story was heading and if it would continue to capture me. But then Frankie returns home.This is where the pace of the book really picks up and we are immersed into Frankie's PTSD and the spiraling of her life. It is here when I appreciated the first part of the book, the trudgery, the monotony, the sheer horror, day in day out.Depictions of the Vietnam War, both in Vietnam and also from perceptions back home in the US were so shocking. Frankie's trauma and the effect of PTSD were heartwrenching. I thought all the characters were well drawn out and believable.Ultimately, this book was so absorbing. Historical fiction at its best. Frankie's story is one that will stay with me forever and confirms how we should all live with kindness and compassion.

This was a heartbreaking but amazing story. I would highly recommend it. Well written and I couldn’t put it down.

This was my first Kristin Hannah novel and I can see why she’s so highly regarded. I don’t usually read historical fiction but after watching a few recent documentaries on the Vietnam War this book felt like the perfect next step.The Women follows Frankie McGrath, a young woman from a privileged background who defies expectations and signs up as an Army nurse in Vietnam. Her time there is brutal, transformative and deeply emotional. Hannah doesn't shy away from the harsh realities. Some scenes are quite graphic but that’s what makes it feel so raw and real.At times I found Frankie very frustrating but in a way that speaks to how well written her character is. She’s complex, layered and deeply affected by everything she experiences. Her friendships with the other women she met while serving in the war were a highlight for me, honest, supportive and heartbreaking.What stood out most was the focus on the forgotten women of Vietnam, the nurses, the medics—those who served and sacrificed, but were often erased from the story. I wasn’t aware this was the case. This novel gives them a voice.The Women is powerful, moving, and thought provoking. It’s a story that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something emotionally impactful and historically rich.

This book will stay with me. The characters and the topic so well written and you really want to know it will be ok ! Thought provoking and powerful!

Good book!

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 SisterhoodThe 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.