Kristin Hannah

"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."--

A Novel

The Women

Atika R

Abigail F

From now on, all of them would have a deep understandin of both man's cruelty and his heroism.

… as a woman, she knew how fragile dreams were…

Love mattered in this ruined world, but so did honor. What was one without the other?

I imagine it would feel wonderful to be good at something that mattered. That is something that  too many of the women of my generation didn’t consider.

Emily Lucie

Fantastic book. I was taken on a journey to Vietnam. Heart wrenching reflection at times. Very well written 

Joanna Tweedale

I won’t lie, going into this book I was very skeptical. Too many people had said it was the best book they’ve read by her and I didn’t know what to expect. What I did know? Was that I was excited to read a historical fiction book that wasn’t about World War 2. Do I think it’s the best book I’ve ever read? No. But it was refreshing. It was encapsulating. I think the reason it’s so resonating to so many women who have been so enamored by it is because we can all see a piece of ourselves in the main character. We all have gone through the pain and hardships that come with being a woman. We’ve all been cast aside at some point in our lives because we live in a man’s world. I think that alone is what takes this book from being a good book to a great book. This was a beautiful way to tell a story that is so often pushed aside. A refreshing viewpoint to a piece of war that everyone, women included, sometimes neglect to remember. 

Kaitlyn R

Good quality historical fiction... Medium ending. 

Gordon McArthur

Another brilliant heart wrenching story from Kristin Hannah.

emily  amata

Great book! It’s definitely slow paced until the end but worth the read. Made me feel all the emotions possible! Frustrated, sad, joyful, proud to be a woman, etc. 

Alicia Evans

Very slow paced historical fiction are usually not my go to books, but this is definitely one that I believe everyone should read once in their lifetime. Our veterans’ sacrifices deserve to be remembered and honored. Makes you realize how grateful we need to be for what we have and the freedom we constantly take for granted.

Sasha

The story of Frankie’s experience servings as a nurse in the Vietnam war and the difficult return to life as a civilian, in an America where most were against the war, and even more believed there were no women there. Through this book I not only learned more about the Vietnam War, but also learned greater empathy for our veterans. Such a big fan of Kristin Hannah and her work. 

Kaitlyn Wendler

Amelia C 

Wow! What a book! What a journey. What an important and complex story. The Vietnam war was senseless and devastating, and this book was a tender account of the pain and suffering of the Vietnam war veterans but especially the women. Don’t let anyone tell you there weren’t women in Vietnam! They have tried to erase them and their stories but alas! They persisted. 
Kristin Hannah knows how to grab a hold of our hearts and not let go till well after the last word of the last page. Easiest 5 star ever!

loved this. an important story and one that was told so well.

Megan Helberg Keiser

kenzie

❤︎ NETGALLEY REVIEW ❤︎

thank you to netgalley, st. martin’s press and kristin hannah for this arc for free in exchange for an honest review. 

this novel is about the women who went to vietnam in different roles to help the troops, it was written very well ; i really felt frankie’s fear, love and her heartbreak while reading this. kristin hannah did such a great job by showing the way that vets (nurses and troops) struggled with ptsd, addiction, thoughts of suicide, depression and betrayal when coming home from vietnam war. i highly recommend putting this in your tbr, the book releases february 6th, 2024.

I honestly don't know what to say about this book other than its unforgettable and beautifully written

A story about war, death, heroism, friendship, trauma and lost.

Samantha King

Woman can be heroes too. 

I honestly don't know what to say about this book other than its unforgettable and beautifully written

A story about war, death, heroism, friendship, trauma and lost.



Read in one sitting with breaks to sob and drink water.

Frankie McGrath comes from a proud Navy family where the men always serve their country. When her brother goes to war, she decides to do her part as a nurse. What she discovers in Vietnam, and after she comes home, breaks her heart, but it will change who she is.

This is Hannah at her finest: strong women, trauma, and significant historical moments. I loved every moment of reading this book.

Cheri McElroy

Frankie McGrath comes from a proud Navy family where the men always serve their country. When her brother goes to war, she decides to do her part as a nurse. What she discovers in Vietnam, and after she comes home, breaks her heart, but it will change who she is.

This is Hannah at her finest: strong women, trauma, and significant historical moments. I loved every moment of reading this book.

The Women A Novel

Reviews

Highlights