Kristin Hannah is an amazing writer. This story shows so much insight and depth of feelings, attitudes, and thoughts of the different times and places it depicts. From patriotism, blindness, hatred and love Kristin portrays it exactly right. I highly recommend this book! It will touch your heart and soul. Wanting to follow her brother to war “Frankie” joined the Army as a nurse. Wanting her father to be proud of her she gets a different reaction that stuns her. Thrown into the thick of battle and seeing the worst war can inflict upon the body she flourishes as a nurse saving as many as possible. Returning to the States from Viet Nam she can't understand the reception from the angry public. Her heart has been broken more than once and now she needs to get a grip on life but her nightmare won't let her and her grip is slipping.
One of the most touching and well-written books I've read in a while. Get it read it and be touched too. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC this is my honest opinion.

Best read of the year so far! Kristin Hannah's latest novel is a stunning work of historical fiction. The immediacy and intimacy she wields in her writing will have you turning the pages late into the night. As we go on the journey learning about Frankie and her experience as a nurse in the Vietnam War, her return to "the real world", and everything in between, this novel sweeps you away in the beautiful awful painfully raw and ultimately glorious truth of life as a women in the Vietnam War era. There is absolutely nothing NOT to love about this book. The characters are as real as it gets, and you'll miss them the moment you turn the last page. Highly recommend!

Book Review: The Women by Kristin Hannah

First, thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. While The Women is a fictional story, the places are real to better ground the experience for the reader.

Every once in a while a book comes along that draws me in and grabs my soul in such a way that I wish I could read it again for the first time! The Women is one of those books. As a young teen in the late 1960’s Vietnam was ever present in the news and our lives and impacted so many. I remember walking 5 miles to school for Moratorium Day in October, 1969 and joining a sit in on the lawn. Reading this book brought back the emotions, the music, and the tumultuous political and social upheaval in our nation at that time. The story being told primarily from Frankie’s perspective made the narrative so powerful and raw. Frankie was essentially a naïve young woman who had no idea what she was getting into when she signed up as an Army nurse so she could follow her brother – who was her best friend – into Vietnam. The story is told in two parts – Frankie’s experience in Vietnam and her life after she returns home.

Once “in country” Frankie had barely any time to adjust to the demands of her role, the shock of the reality of the war, and the constant terror. Once there as she was having her “what have I done” moment, she bonded with Ethel and Barb who shared her hooch and became her lifeline, her sanity savers and her best friends. Jamie Callahan, a doctor who shows her the ropes and molds her into a valuable combat nurse, was an integral part of Frankie’s experience overeas. Frankie discovers who she really is as a woman, a nurse and a leader and what she is capable of that at first seemed impossible. You root for her throughout.

Hannah’s writing takes you to the jungle and vividly illustrates the depth of human relationships between those who served in combat and depended on one another for their lives – both during combat and just as importantly, once home and they are trying to integrate back into the real world.

I loved this book and would recommend it highly.

4.5 stars rounded up!! I absolutely don’t know how I’m going to do this review justice. This story was so unique and educational, which makes me sad there aren’t more stories (or more popular stories) out in the world about nurses in Vietnam.

Kristin Hannah is so good at expressing every emotion so effortlessly. From following along with Frankie as a young girl just looking to make her way in the world, to the horror of her experiencing her first amputee patient, to the joy of drinking and dancing with her friends, and everything in between. There won’t be a dull moment while you’re reading this book although you’ll wish Frankie could just catch a break!

This might squeeze into my top three favorite books by KH and I’ll think of the men and women who were in Vietnam often

This book was so good!!! Kristin Hannah hit it out of the park again. I think I’ve cried reading every book she’s ever written which to me is a good thing. You connect with the characters so much. I couldn’t put this book down, the book was so descriptive I felt like I could see Vietnam clearly. Highly recommend!

Master of historical fiction storytelling has done it again. Fans of previous Kristin Hannah novels will not be disappointed, all of the elements that make her books so spectacular are here. The details that are woven into the story just flow smoothly and pull you in. You find yourself immersed in the story and have a book hangover when you finished quite honestly. Recommend to all historical and literary fiction lovers and will stock for the store!

This was very good historical fiction. It was about a topic that I was unfamiliar with, so I felt like I learned something. I was vested in the main character and really felt like I was right there with her during many scenes. I could sympathize with her and worry about her throughout the story. My only complaint was about the coincidence at the very end of the story - it was just a bit too much that the same thing would happen twice. Otherwise an excellent novel about a time that is very relevant today.

4.5 stars
Kristin Hannah can do no wrong. This book was fantastic, and the ending was absolutely everything.

I was absolutely thrilled when I received an ARC of The Women from St. Martin’s Press. I absolutely love Kristin Hannah as well as historical fiction. And I have to say, this is the first historical fiction book I have read about Vietnam.

To say the least, it was amazing. I really loved reading Frankie’s story, from the time she arrives in Vietnam as a FNG to the years that come after her return. I will say for me, the first part of the book was fairly fast paced and it took me a moment to get into the second half of the book. Overall, it is an incredible story that touches on a lot of sensitive topics. Hannah’s storytelling is amazing and this is by far one of my favorite books I have read in 2023. And that ending!

Thank you to St. Martin’s press and Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this book!

I don't even know where to start or what to say about this book. I don't read historical fiction all that often. I tend to be really picky with the ones I do pick up. The synopsis really needs to grab me. Obviously this one did since I decided to read it. I was in no way disappointed.

When the book first started, I had no way to anticipate where the story was going to go. I was in no way prepared for the detailed war action, the emotional rollercoaster I ended up on, and the overall overwhelming story that this ended up being.

Hannah has given her reader a wonderfully built plot and well thought-out characters. She gives just enough detail to paint a portrait of everything and everyone in the book without over doing it. I was on the up and down ride with these women, not just Frances, from the time they are each introduced.

I cannot recommend this book enough. You don't have to be a historical fiction reader to appreciate and enjoy this book. It's definitely one that I will think of when someone asks for a "good book to read".

I have loved Kristin Hannah for years and this new book is stunning. With superior skill, Hannah pulls us into a family grieving, a woman striving to make a difference, and a society that doesn't know how to navigate a space of horrors and deaths too enormous to articulate. There is heart all over this book, and the pacing is brilliant. Fantastic, fantastic read.

I was fortunate to be chosen to read this newest book by Kristin Hannah, The Women. This may be the most powerful book that I’ve ever read. The Vietnam War, an unpatriotic welcome home by US citizens and the aftermath of adjustment, including the introduction of the term PTSD, all told from the viewpoint of Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a combat nurse on the front lines. Kristin always draws readers into her books, but this story will pull you even deeper. The characters are woven together to tell a story of the 1960s, patriotism, friendship and a war fought by young men and women who had to grow up quickly. Pre-order or pre-reserve this book today. Publishes February 2024.

Kristin Hannah does it again! As always with her books, I felt completely transported to a time and a place that has transformed my understanding and compassion for our humankind that lived through these tragedies in history. In this story of women who were nurses in the Vietnam war, Kristin Hannah creates a vivid life story of tragedy, love, heartbreak and eventual healing from the pain of serving in the Vietnam war. I admired the focus she gave to women not being recognized in our country as an important part of the war, yet they were some of the most important heroes. Thank you for capturing their stories, Kristin!

"The Women" is a powerful and poignant novel that weaves together the personal journey of Frances “Frankie” McGrath with the broader backdrop of a nation torn apart by war. This book stands out as both an intimate character study and a portrayal of a generation scarred by a divisive war.

Frankie’s journey serves as a lens through which readers can explore the trials and tribulations faced by those who dared to put themselves in harm's way to aid others. In doing so, “The Women” not only tells the story of one remarkable woman but also sheds light on the experiences of forgotten heroes and heroines who made sacrifices and displayed unwavering commitment to their country.

The Vietnam War was a deeply polarizing conflict in American history, and the novel does justice in portraying the profound divisions that existed within the society at the time. The novel's examination of the challenges faced by veterans - especially female veterans - when they returned home underscores the lasting impact of the war on those who served. The physical and psychological scars, the difficulty of reintegrating into civilian life, and the often hostile reception from society are all important aspects of the veteran experience that Kristen Hannah weaves into the storyline.

Frankies heroism, with her extraordinary idealism and resilience in the face of adversity, serves as a memorable figure who encapsulates the challenges of her era. Her personal growth and evolution throughout the story make this a compelling and dynamic story.

"The Women" is a remarkable novel that blends personal and historical narratives, offering readers a glimpse into the lives of women who played vital roles in shaping their nation during a tumultuous time. It is a story of sacrifice, courage, and resilience, and it is a tribute to the countless unsung heroines who have been overlooked by history.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

Until I read this book, I was not aware the horros women saw who served in Vietnam. I guess I should have realized this fact, but I have never read anything in history about women serving in the thick of it.

The book graphically describes what the nurses saw who took care of the brutally wounded. The women were heroic. They endured so much pain as they valiantly fought to save men horribly wounded in combat.

This book is full of action, emotional turmoil and beautifully written.

Highly recommend.

As usual, I love the way Kristin Hannah’s story span over the course of years an sometimes even decades but never feel rushed. I was extremely absorbed throughout the story and never bored. I loved following Frankie and her development throughout her young adulthood. My only major critiques is that the romantic relationships often felt a bit overdramatic and unnecessary, but did not take too much enjoyment away from the story. Overall the book is an incredibly important read and I’m so glad to have gotten to learn more about the war through the eyes of these characters.

ARC review:

Kristin Hannah's brilliance leaps off the page through the powerful story of Frankie McGrath, a girl raised with the American idealism that soared through the country after World War II. When her brother ships out to Vietnam to the cheers of her friends and family, Frankie decides to do her bit And joins the cause as an Army nurse. This coming-of-age story shows Frankie's awakening to grief, loss, trauma, and the shifting cultural values of the late 1960s to early 1970s America.

When Frankie comes home, it's not as the hero she was raised to believe those who served their country are but as a traumatized veteran who was told that women should keep sweet and she should go back to that proper girl she was raised to be. Kristin Hannah does a fantastic job of leading the reader through Frankie's journey of homecoming and the plight of many Vietnam veterans. She shows the reader and makes them understand Frankie's mental transition back to being a civilian and how grief, trauma, PTSD, and love can come in waves.

Hannah once again creates a greater picture of life. That being said, life is not all happy endings and great loves, but it lets the reader see that all lives have different paths and that the journey you think you might lead as a young adult is not always the most fulfilling and right journey that life eventually leads you on. But in the end, the journey is indeed worth it.

Kristin Hannah’s writing captivated me from the start. Beautifully developed characters. Strong sense of place. As a child born in the early 1970’s the author opened my eyes to a side of the Vietnam War not represented in my history books. The Women, opens a window and shines light on the female heroes of this war. Such a treasure for those who choose to turn its pages and enter into a story that is hard to put down once picked up.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy, all opinions are my own!

This book was phenomenal! I love this author so I knew I was in for a heartfelt read, but this one blew all her other books out of the water. 5 stars !

This is a remarkable and informative book about the women nurses who served during the Vietnam War. It follows Frankie McGrath from the time she’s newly graduated from nursing school to the years following her service. It delves into the friendships made and lost, the horrors of war, and the traumatic psychological effects of serving under such trying and devastating circumstances.

I’ve seen the monument to women nurses on the Mall in Washington, DC, and it’s a moving sight. This book brings that to life as we watch nurses meet the helicopters carrying wounded, often while under fire themselves, and follow them through triage, surgery, post op, and more. We also get to see how the doctors and nurses attempt to relax after the long, stressful days they spend in surgery. The author spares no feelings as she illustrates the conditions under which they worked and the toll it takes on them.

After reading this book, I’m incensed, livid, about how Vietnam veterans were treated on their return from the war, especially the women nurses. All returning vets were treated as if they had made the decision to start the war, such cruelty and disregard for all the vets suffered. While the book says that most soldiers, sailors, and Marines were there voluntarily, so many were drafted to serve. I was just a kid during the war, but I remember the lengths that my older brother was willing to go to in order to avoid being drafted. It was not a happy time for young men.

This book delves into how unpopular the war was at the time, and the protests at home to end it. It looks at the repercussions on those who served: PTSD, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, lies told by the US government, loss and grief, how veterans were made to feel ashamed for serving, and especially the lack of belief in and respect for women in general, but particularly for women who served in Vietnam.

In The Women, you’ll discover extraordinary writing, stellar characters, and first-class world building. The imagery is so vivid that I felt like I stood beside Frankie as bombs fell and helicopters did their best to avoid enemy fire, as the doctors and nurses continued with surgery while under fire and in the dark. It also takes the reader into Vietnamese villages where the medical staff from the mobile hospitals provide care for the locals. Prepare yourself to experience the horrors of war, for no punches are pulled.

Kristin Hannah delivers another amazing book with The Women. I highly recommend it.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.