The Women: A Novel Hardcover – February 6, 2024

If I could give this book more stars I would. As sad as it was it was also a great read! I loved the characters but the story was gripping! Well written from my opinion! I love her stories. Hannah I write so well! Very descriptive so as a reader, I was there!

An absorbing story of a privileged, naive, good-hearted young woman who wants to make a heroic choice to do something of value during a turbulent time in our nation’s history. You see her growth through the horrific atrocities she sees, her attempts to save combat veterans with her team, and to comfort those that are beyond saving. What emerges is the bonds of friendship she develops with the other nurses. She also falls in love for the first time with a man out of reach, and then a second time with a man less honorable. The Vietnam scenes are sometimes horrendous, other times life affirming. But coming home after two years of service was even in many ways more heartbreaking. When we live in uncertain times as we do now in 2025, history teaches us that there were times had been even worse. Such was the times of the late 1960s/early 1970s when our government deceived us about the Vietnam war, but more importantly deceived the troops who were serving. And equally horrific was the reaction of many of our fellow citizens who treated returning troops and medical personnel as the enemy when they were in reality the heroes and the victims to the lies perpetrated. Kristin Hannah does a wonderful job of telling this story through detailed research and empathetic writing. A wonderful book and an important read for all US citizens.

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.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into The Women by Kristin Hannah—this isn’t my usual genre—but I’m really glad I read it. It was emotional, powerful, and full of heavy topics that left an impact.The story follows Frankie, a young nurse who joins the Army during the Vietnam War. Watching her grow, struggle, and navigate both the war and its aftermath was heartbreaking but eye-opening. I didn’t cry like some readers mentioned, but I think that’s because there was so much going on, it felt hard to fully process one thing before another emotional hit came.What stood out the most to me was how much I learned—especially about the role of women during the war and how badly they were treated when they returned home. It made me want to learn more about that time period, and I genuinely hope this story gets adapted into a movie someday. I think it would be an incredibly important and moving film.The writing was beautiful, and the friendships in this book were a bright spot. While the pacing felt overwhelming at times, this was still a powerful and worthwhile read. Definitely one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

Recommended by multiple friends and have since read and recommended it to others. Weaves characters you must care about throughout time and across locations forcing you to binge read. So many messages and so many emotions. Then a plot twist or two. This should be your next book.

So beautifully written and heart wrenching. The pain and the memories break your heart. This book is a must read, no matter how hard it gets - the women had it harder.

This book is stunning in both its storytelling and its reminder of history. I was struck by how the lessons of Vietnam are still applicable and also by how little I knew about the role of women in the war. It’s a must read from both a historical and an immersive story standpoint. Highly recommend.

Kristin Hannah has become one of my favorite authors. The Women was so beautifully written. I loved every moment of this book. I laughed, I cried tears of joy and sadness and hated the fact the story had to end.