The Women: A Novel

At twenty years old, sheltered Frankie McGrath enlists as a nurse in the Vietnam War. After losing her brother, she feels a calling to help wounded soldiers and serve her country. However, she is unprepared for the violence and harsh conditions she faces overseas. Upon returning home, Frankie faces psychological issues and irreversibly alters her relationships with loved ones.

Fans of Kristin Hannah will adore The Women. This novel perfectly displays her well-known strength of creating historical fiction full of drama, emotion, and strong women. Though not a short novel, it was fast-paced and before I knew it, I was halfway through the book.

Frankie is a flawed though lovable main character who is dealt an unfair number of heartbreaks and traumatic events, lacking support from her family when she needs it most. However, her friends from the Army help her heal from the trauma of their shared experiences in Vietnam and remain her core support system even when they live states apart.

I loved all of the twists in the second half of the novel, and I hoped for a happy ending for Frankie. This book shines a light on a forgotten part of history and the profound impact that women had on the Vietnam War. I’m so glad I read this and applaud Hannah for honoring these historical female heroes!