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Member Reviews

Incredible. This story and the narration are at the top of my list for this year. Kristin Hannah is such a talented writer. I’m on a quest to read all of her books and this one was my favorite so far.

Thank you for an advanced copy of this book.

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Unpopular Opinion:
The writing was superb! Kristin at her finest - and the subject matter was extensively researched (some of the details horrendous to read about!)
For me though, the actual storyline fell flat.

We have a young and very naive MC who goes into combat's way (in nursing) to prove a point to her dad. She gets involved with a married man and yet another man and it's at this juncture where the authenticity of the story she's trying to tell, wears on me. Most of us from this gen and just after, know of the unfair and unjust conditions these service members came home to, but this part of the storyline was so repetitive, also became tiresome (make the point and move on.). Then finally, while home, the disastrous decisions just keep banging their head on a wall and I keep thinking, STOP already! So at this point, the ending felt too much for me.

I LOVED the side characters -- everyone needs friends like the ones in this book.
I LOVED the author's note at the end of the novel. Kristen is amazing to tell this tale

Just overall, the actual fictional part was not for me

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Kristin Hannah does it again with The Women. While I knew a bit about Vietnam, I had no idea how the women were treated upon their return to the states. It was heartbreaking and gut wrenching in many parts of this novel. And while Frankie and her friends stories may not be actual people, their experiences were those of real women who faced that rejection.

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4.5 stars

Another case of “why did I put this book off for so long”? Silly silly me!!

I assumed I’d love this, and I’m happy to report that I was correct!

I have a lot of personal connection to this book with family members that served in Vietnam and I also worked at a VA hospital in the mental health section! So I’ve seen what war can do to people.

I definitely still learned a lot from this book! I thought it was very well done, and so so sad.

I did start to get a little overwhelmed by the end- our poor girl Frankie needed a break!! The first half was a little stronger than the second half, but I really enjoyed this overall!

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Is there anything that Kristin Hannah can't do? No seriously, does she write any bad books? The modern queen of historical fiction takes on the subject of women during the Vietnam War. I'm embarrassed to say as a former historian, I didn't even know much about the role women played in Vietnam. This book is incredibly powerful not only as story about the horrors of war, but the triumphs and strengths of women in male-dominated spaces. Frankie is a strong MC and this is a book that will stick with you for a long time.

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Wow….just wow! This was maybe the best book I’ve ever read. I will NEVER forget this amazing story. I was transported to Frankie’s side throughout this whole book and felt like she was like a sister to me and watching everything she went through was absolutely gut wrenchingly heartbreaking. I sobbed several times. My heart broke but was put back together as best it could be by the end. I didn’t know too much about the Vietnam War before reading this and now I feel so much more educated. This was truly an incredible read, and I thank Kristin and NetGalley so much for the copy to read. Thank you so much Kristin for writing this book. It is so important and everyone needs to read it!

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Thank you to netgalley.com for this ARC.

This was an excellent, informative, and heartbreaking story. It was so interesting to read about women's experiences in Vietnam as nurses and the horrors they exhibited while there as well as when they returned home and the additional discrimination of the women. It was heartbreaking to read about all the loss, addiction and lack of understanding of PTSD at that time. This book was clearly well researched and written. It was difficult to read at times, but I could not put it down. I felt a new understanding of the Vietnam veterans - men and women. Kristin Hannah has written another great novel.

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Historical fiction has slowly become my favorite genre! Most likely has to do with the wonderful authors I’ve read, especially Kristin Hannah! Women's perspective has been missing from key points and history, and I’m so thankful to be able to read superb writing that shares these necessary stories.

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Everyone was reading this and gushing over it, so I stayed away for a long while. However, I recently read it and loved it. Such an intense and emotional portrayal with fantastic character development. I was a little girl when Vietnam was occurring so I don't have much memory of the war, but this story was so detailed and emotional that I know I won't be forgetting Frankie and her experience for a very long time.
It's a story like only Kristin Hannah can write!
Thank you for my review copy. Did it live up to all the hype? Yes.

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I had heard so many things about this book by the time I actually got to read it. I was worried it wouldn't live up to the hype, but I was wrong. I felt like I was there. I learned so many things about the war in Vietnam that I didn't know. I know it was a work of fiction, but so much of it was crafted in actuality. It hurt to read at some points. Once a certain idea was introduced, I couldn't wait to see which of the characters it was about, though my heart was set on a certain someone. I know people who don't typically read books like this who loved it.

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The Women by Kristin Hannah is historical fiction, realistically detailing the lives of the women who served as nurses in Vietnam during the war. Hannah's depiction of what the women went through in Vietnam and when they came home rang true. As the widow of a Vietnam veteran who suffered from PTSD and who developed Parkinson's disease as a result of his exposure to Agent Orange, I saw first hand many of the things described in this novel. The fact that these women were so long ignored by even the VA is shameful. The love interests , however, were unnecessary and too coincidental .The story would have been better left without these contrived situations..I recommend The Women by Kristin Hannah to anyone who wants to learn more about the women who served as nurses in the war in Vietnam.

#thewomen
#kristinhannah
#vietnam
#nursesinvietnam
#historicalfiction

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I am already a huge fan of Kristin Hannah, but this book addresses a time period and piece of history that I really knew very little about, so I feel like it was a timely, necessary, and important work to highlight an area of our nation's history that often went ignored or swept under the rug. Her writing, as always, is stirring, and she has the power to pull you into the moment with her, feeling what her characters feel. I was gripped by this story and absolutely could not put it down. I have recommended it to everyone I know since finishing it. Her work continues to shine, and her characters are the kind that sit in your memory and your heart for a long time to come.

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Kristin Hannah does it again! This book is equal parts heartwrenching and encouraging. However, it just seemed SO SAD.

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WOW! I cant even begin to describe how amazing this book was! How does Kristen Hannah do it every single time! Aside from Nightingale, this is by far my favorite book of hers and also my favorite book of the year! Loved every single thing! I will be recommending this book to everyone i know!

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*The Women* by Kristin Hannah is a powerful and deeply moving novel that shines a spotlight on the often overlooked experiences of women during the Vietnam War. Hannah masterfully weaves together a story of courage, resilience, and the quest for identity, centering on the journey of a young female nurse who bravely serves in a war-torn land. The narrative is gripping, filled with vivid descriptions and emotional depth that transport readers to the heart of the conflict. Through Hannah's nuanced storytelling, the protagonist’s struggles and triumphs are brought to life in a way that is both poignant and inspiring, making it impossible not to be moved by her story.

Kristin Hannah excels at capturing the complexities of human emotions, and *The Women* is no exception. The novel explores themes of sacrifice, friendship, and the search for purpose amidst chaos, highlighting the strength and resilience of women who were often dismissed and forgotten. Hannah’s meticulous research and attention to detail lend authenticity to the narrative, while her compassionate portrayal of the characters makes their experiences resonate deeply with readers. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction that celebrates the unsung heroes of the past, offering a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of women in the face of adversity.

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I feel like the last person in the book world to have read this book and know I procrastinated much too long.... because it lingers. I was scared to pick it up because of all the early hype surrounding it and what if I didn't love it as much as I should. Anyhow, foolish mistake and now having read it, I will be purchasing a copy to live on my bookshelf eternally. It was heartwrenchingly beautiful and didn't sugar coat the trauma or ugliness of the era while adding depth and emotion to every page.

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This book was a great intro to many people in my generation who know very little about the Vietnam War. This book incites discussion about the Vietnam War, the status of women in America during the 1960s-70s, the disappointment in the treatment of Vietnam Vets (especially the women) upon their return home and while deployed. The nonstop trauma of the main character, Frankie keeps everyone was glued to the book although I just wish Frankie could catch a break!

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thank you @stmartinspress for the @netgalley Swipe for synopsis.

Her historical fiction books can’t be beat including her latest that came out in February and is about women that were nurses in the Vietnam war.

This is a powerful read that left me visibly emotional. The topics of women in Vietnam and how veterans were treated upon their return is something I feel that’s not discussed much and I learned a lot. Being from San Diego, I also appreciated the Coronado/San Diego references. Other themes discussed are female friendships, family, war, addiction, and mental health. Definitely check the trigger warnings though because this isn’t an easy read. So so good and inspiring 🥹

I finished this while on the plane to Dublin but pictured is a hotel @bannoakknollnapa I got a resort pass for to hang out for the Fourth of July!

⚠️: war, death, violence, miscarriage, addiction, suicidal thoughts/attempt, car accident, torture, alcoholism, sexism

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This book is everything. The characters are amazing, the themes are so moving and impactful, and the emotion one feels alongside the characters is unreal. The importance of mental health and healing is a topic that can be really hard to write well, but it is done exceptionally well in this book.

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The Women is a powerful, eye-opening story that takes you into the life of Frances "Frankie" McGrath, a young nursing student who finds herself in the middle of the Vietnam War. Kristin Hannah does an incredible job of capturing the emotions and struggles of not just Frankie, but all the women who served. It's a heartfelt reminder of their bravery and sacrifice, something that often gets overshadowed in history.

What really stood out to me was how the story doesn’t end when the war does. Coming home is a whole new battle, and watching Frankie navigate a divided America is just as impactful as the war scenes themselves. The friendships she makes along the way are deep and moving, and Hannah's writing makes you feel every moment of fear, loss, and hope.

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