Kristin Hannah’s newest novel, “The Women” is a tribute to the women who served as combat nurses in the Vietnam War. It is a remarkable tale designed to impart to readers the totality of what those nurses experienced: from the innocent patriotism and compassion that led so many to volunteer, to the unrelenting and horrific reality of that war, to the difficulties that many experienced upon their return home.

Protagonist Francis “Frankie” McGrath begins the novel as a 20-year-old, upper-middle-class, properly brought-up young lady living with her parents in tony Coronado, CA. She’s fresh out of nursing school. Her family has a history of military service, and her brother is a Navy officer serving in Vietnam. Wanting also to serve, Frankie enlists as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Nurse Corps (ANC).

Immediately after basic training, she ships out for Vietnam where she’s assigned to an evac hospital that is sometimes near the fighting and even attacked. Although very green, she catches on quickly and becomes a “rock star” surgical nurse, so committed that she signs up for a second year-long tour. She falls in love and she makes close friends. When her second tour is over, she returns home. That’s where and when her problems really begin. As dangerous and terrifying and primal and physically/mentally/emotionally demanding and exhausting as Vietnam was, Frankie was able to handle it. Her return to “the world” stateside? Well, that’s quite a different matter.

Kristin Hannah does a first-rate job immersing her readers in the world of a Viet Nam War evac hospital: the sights, the smells, the sounds, the long hours, the unrelenting influx of casualties, the nature of their wounds, the terrifying shelling, and the trying living conditions including heat, humidity, heavy rains, damp clothes and bedding, mold, mildew, and rat infestation.

Most of Ms. Hannah’s characters are well-drawn and have depth. With one notable exception, they are good people trying to do right by their duty and the people they care about. I did think Frankie was more believable as a nurse in Vietnam than as a returning vet. In Vietnam, she seemed a real person who learned and grew. Back home, she seemed more like a repository for all the bad outcomes experienced by returning vets, so much so that, at times, the novel struck me as melodramatic. Nevertheless, what happens to Frankie does inform readers about the different issues with which returning nurses (and other vets of both sexes) struggled, including our failure as a nation to treat and recognize them properly, both when they returned and for many years after that.

All in all, I thought “The Women” was a solid, four-star read—a story that needed to be told and that Ms. Hannah told well.

Kristin Hannah has done it again! She's taken a subject that's not very common in novels and given it the literary attention it deserves. In The Women, the central theme is around women who served (primarily as nurses) in Vietnam. There have been lots of books about the 60's/70's and the conflict, but this is the first book I've read about women who served in the military during the war.
The Women focuses on 8+ years in the life of Frances/Frankie, a young woman from a privileged upbringing who's inspired (for a variety of reasons) to use her nursing skills in Vietnam -- a very different path for those days. Most of the book takes place in the '70's and Ms. Hannah does a wonderful job of capturing the decade's cultural touchstones - from the fashions and hairstyles to Tab! It's a heavily researched book but never felt like reading a text book. I learned much about the Vietnam War, particularly about the nurses who served and how poorly they were treated after the war. Don't worry....there's plenty of family and other drama to keep your attention as well!
The Women is a fast paced novel and kept me reading late into the night to learn about what happens to Frankie and the individuals with whom she served..
Overall, a wonderful book and up there with The Nightingale and The Great Alone for my Kristin Hannah favorites. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read The Women in exchange for an honest review.

Like all of the other Kristin Hannah books I have read I loved this one just as much. I learned so much from this story that I didn't know or realize about women who served during Vietnam, the way all people were treated after they came home and the harsh realities all of those people had to face coming home and how to help those who were coming home. It was a great story and I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. Have tissues ready!

Thank you for giving me an ARC to read and review. This will be purchased for my library and I will be using it in book clubs.

The Women is another gripping read from the fabulous Kristin Hannah. I adored The Nightingale, and this book returns to war-era strife. With vivid, slashing detail, Frankie McGrath transforms from a sheltered ‘60s deb to an uber-capable Vietnam War nurse. The book isn’t for the faint-hearted, averse to blood, gore, and suffering. But that was the reality Frankie and those soldiers lived through. As usual, Hannah’s research absolutely immerses us in the settings and characters. I was especially moved in learning how the heroic nurses were not only shunned by the public, but also by many / most male veterans on their return. That made acclimating back into an unrecognizable life immeasurably hard. No wonder addiction and PTSD dogged the brave returnees. I was too young to really grasp the impact of Vietnam, but I did wear a POW bracelet. The Women now illuminates this era for me in graphic, unforgettable detail.

I was so excited to get an ARC copy of The Women by Kristin Hannah. She is one of my favorite authors. The Women opened my eyes to a side of the Vietnam War that is rarely talked about - The Women! This book brings awareness to how they contribute to the war and how much they were overlooked in their own country after the war - even by other veterans. Not only do you get a glimpse into what it was like in Vietnam in a medical unit but you get to see what happened after returning home. It is heartbreaking. Not only for the women but for any veteran returning after the Vietnam War. To come home after seeing so many horrific things and to be yelled at and spit at was just horrible. The second half of the book dives into PTSD and what that might look like for a veteran. Hannah did a great job with researching this topic and she shares how she did her research in the Author's Note at the end of the book. This book stuck with me several days after reading it. That is how I know it was.a great book.

The Women by Kristin Hannah is yet another masterpiece by one of the most brilliant authors writing today. In The Women, she brings us into the Vietnam War from an ignored perspective—the combat nurses serving alongside soldiers. This is an emotional rollercoaster- have a fresh box of Kleenex ready! The Women is one of the best books I've ever read. Highly recommend!!!

while each novel is unique in its own way, there is a very clear way to tell a story & this truly was not it. there was no structure to this book, which made it incredibly hard to care about this main character despite how heroic she was as an under appreciated army nurse during vietnam. there were some really interesting parts, but we weren’t able to sit in those moments because there was just so much extra fluff.

AMAZING! Pre-Order and plan to read as soon as this comes out - February 6, 2024! My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced e-copy of this book.

Kristin Hannah takes a raw look at a forgotten segment of those who served in the Vietnam War - The Women. Some died while serving and many returned emotionally and/or physically broken - to a country who hated them. The US in the late 60s was divided and broken - over the war, politics, social issues, etc. There were riots, protests, and assassinations. This story centers around three nurses - Frankie, Ethel, and Barb - who formed a life long friendship serving as nurses for the Army Nurse Corps. What began simply by being assigned as roommates soon morphed into an unbreakable bond forged by mutual experiences witnessing the horrors of war. The friendship continued as the women returned home and discovered that few understood what they had been through. The transition to civilian life was different for each of the three women as they strove to find out who and what they will become now.. They were there for each other - through the good and bad times. And, even when no one else seems to be.

While this story opened my eyes to the mental and physical toll of the Vietnam War to its veterans, it is also a story of resiliency, hope, love, and friendship. While the Nightingale is still one of my all-time favorite books, the Women now shares a top spot as well! Highly recommend!!

Frankie McGrath has led a privileged and sheltered life, raised by her conservative parents to be a proper lady and wife. But when she hears these word - "Women can be heroes, too"- her plans for her life begin to change.
It is 1965, and the Vietnam War is in full swing. Upon graduating from nursing school Frankie decides to enlist, much to the shock and embarrassment of her parents. She is ill prepared for what she faces in a field hospital in Vietnam- but she learns quickly- there is no other choice.
I will be honest-this is a brutal book, both the stories of the casualties, told in full detail, and what Frankie comes home to after her tour of duty is over. But this is an excellent book- well researched, which is always the case with Kristin Hannah's books. You will not be sorry if you read it.
My thanks to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book.

This might be my favorite book that Kristin Hannah has written. It was my first time reading anything about the Vietnam War and this book had me hooked from the very beginning. I love the women in this story and their drive and determination. I also loved how she dove into the aftereffects of war and the differences in how the men were treated versus the women. A moving story that everyone should read.

Kristin Hannah's "The Women" is a wonderful 5-star read! This historical fiction masterpiece transports you to the turbulent 1960s, weaving an intimate coming-of-age story against the background of a country torn apart by war and politics.

Meet Frankie McGrath, a sheltered nursing student who joined the Army Nurse Corps in the midst of the Vietnam War, propelled by a newfound sense of purpose. Hannah's description of Frankie's journey is incredibly affecting, capturing the turmoil and horror of war perfectly.

However, "The Women" is more than just Frankie's story; it is a tribute to all the unsung heroines who served their country in the shadows. Hannah's storytelling is piercing and beautiful, offering an emotionally packed story that had me in tears.

As a lover of Kristin Hannah's past works, this novel exceeded my expectations. Her ability to bring powerful, female-centric stories from history to life is unrivaled. And, yes, prepare for a good ugly cry!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Kristin Hannah for the advanced reading copy. I can't wait to get my hands on a hard copy on February 6th. "The Women" is a must-read for anybody who enjoys strong female characters and powerful storytelling. #KristinHannah #TheWomen #HistoricalFiction #BookReview

“No fear, McGrath.” 💪🩺🚁👩‍⚕️
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The Women by Kristin Hannah
Publication Date 2/6/24
🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁/5
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One of the best books that I’ve ever read. @kristinhannahauthor is my favorite author of all time for a reason. She has this wonderful gift for storytelling that makes you feel like you’re actually there. I really felt like I was in the throes of the war, right alongside Franky. The friendships in this story are so special and I found myself crying and laughing throughout the book. I won’t say much else as I don’t want to give anything away. Pick this one up, you won’t be able to put it down!

Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for giving me a chance to read this amazing ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Women by Kristin Hannah is about the forgotten women who went to Vietnam.
Not only were they forgotten they were treated horribly there and when they came home.
They had no resources to help them.
The story is about Frankie, a sheltered young woman who is recruited as a nurse to go to war.
I loved the story. It was hard to read but so good. The terrible history of the treatment of everyone who went to fight is heartbreaking.
The book was beautifully written. It was so good I read it in two sittings. I highly recommend this book.

First off,Kristin Hannah is my favorite author. I was really looking forward to reading The Women. This book did not disappoint.
This is the story of 3 nurses during and after the Vietnam War. The writing is so vivid that you can put yourself in the characters place. The horrors they faced while in Vietnam as well as the many issues after coming home are described vividly.
While I normally don't read books more than once,I will This one.

Thank you to NetGally and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this incredible novel!

Kristen Hannah has a flair for historical fiction; I absolutely loved The Nightingale, The Great Alone and The Four Winds, and The Women is no exception. I commend her for writing about a group of people that are often forgotten and neglected – the women that served in Vietnam. ALL THE FEELS. We follow Frankie, a young nurse who comes from an affluent family, and decides to join the Army Nurse Corp to serve her country, to follow in the footsteps of those that came before her. The book is the story of her journey, as she arrives in Vietnam as a wide eyed innocent young women, through the devastation that she witnesses, the life-long friendships she develops, and the PTSD she struggles with when she returns home. This book is the kind that gives you that unmistakable internal feeling, that lump in your throat, the sensation of fullness in your body.

I’m sure that part of my emotional attachment to the book is that my dad was in Vietnam and died partially due to his exposure to Agent Orange. I remember his war stories and they line up with the stories in this novel. Hannah plays so many angles in this book – proud service members, lying US government, hippie protesters, veterans against the war, and the struggle to remain a patriot through all of it. The overall feel of America during that time is very well captured. Of course there is love, loss, and betrayal, because that’s her niche. And not just romantic love, but familial love and pain too. So so good.

Regardless of what your opinion is of the Vietnam war, I’m pissed about how all Vietnam veterans were treated when they returned home, but I’m EXTRA pissed about how women veterans were treated, and I am glad we have come a long way since then. This was a well researched book based on real experiences. I openly weeped at the end reading the Authors Note and Acknowledgements. The fact that POW/MIA bracelet that the main character Frankie wears in the novel has a real missing pilot's name on it, and was a bracelet that Hannah wore herself for years, destroyed me! I remember my dad wearing a similar bracelet every day of his life. May they never be forgotten.

If I could give this book a hundred stars I would. An absolutely incredible book. I was up until 2am reading and woke up this morning at 8am so that I could finish. This book is about so much. It details the experiences of Frankie McGrath, a young nurse who serves in Vietnam but also about what happens when she returns home. It is about loss and believing in something but being disillusioned. It is about coming of age in a turbulent era in this Country. It is about the service of women in Vietnam and how everyone discounted that service because “there were no women in Vietnam”. I am just so blown away by this book. I have ordered a print copy because this one will be added to my library. Thank you Kristin Hannah for your words and the honor you pay those some who serve.

Hannah always tells a great story, and this one is no different. This book shines a light on an all-but-forgotten group of women, the Army nurses that served in the Vietnam War and its homecoming aftermath.

☺️The Vietnam War descriptions were well written- Hannah did a great job creating a strong sense of place. She obviously did her research and she paints an accurate portrait of what it must have been like for those on the frontlines.

☺️The friendship between Frankie, Barb, and Ethel was such a sweet one. I adored Barb and Ethel!

Now, for what didn't work:

😕The book was just too long. It really dragged in places. The first half just felt like one long battle scene. The last quarter seemed to go on and on.

😕Her writing felt clunky and repetitive much of the time. I read the phrases "Frankie couldn't remember the last time she ate," and "Long distance calls are just so expensive, no less than five times each.

Finally, there was one plot device that she used TWICE that caused me to lower my rating from 3⭐️ down to 2.5⭐️. One thing that happened right at the end just made me angry. Not only that, but the entire second half of the book was one dramatic event after another. It felt unrealistic and also a bit predictable.

The story of the women is Vietnam is such a compelling story - and a piece of history I knew nothing about! I have not ready a book that talks about what it was like to be a woman in the military during one of the most pivotal wars in US history. Hannah did a fantastic job of weaving a narrative that both packed a punch and made you feel deeply for the horror the women suffered.

Another book by Kristin Hannah that I could not put down! Frankie McGrath grew up on Coronado Island, where she was raised to be a good girl and be proud of the many military veterans in her family. At her brother's party, before he shipped out to serve in the Navy in Vietnam, she hears "women can be heroes, too." Frankie decides to enlist as a nurse with the Army. When she gets to Vietnam she quickly realizes how inexperienced and naive she was. Over time, Frankie becomes a skilled and highly competent surgical nurse. While she helps to save many lives, she also has to deal with the horrors of war. When she comes home, she expects to be regarded as a hero, but instead finds that Vietnam veterans are hated and made to feel ashamed for their service. Even worse, women are not even considered veterans and her own family is ashamed and doesn't want to talk about her experiences. Frankie struggles with PTSD and having no one except her two close friends from the Army to help her.