The women Paperback – International Edition, February 1, 2024

The Women is one of those rare books that lingers long after the last page. Kristin Hannah has delivered a deeply moving and eye-opening story that follows a young woman—first as a nursing student, then through the chaos of the Vietnam War, and into the turbulent aftermath back home.What struck me most was how this novel illuminated a part of history that often goes unrecognized: the women who served in Vietnam. I was shocked—and honestly angered—by the disbelief and dismissal the main character faced from the VA and others who refused to believe women were even in the war. That truth hit hard.The scenes set in and near the field hospitals were harrowing and felt entirely authentic. The writing captures both the physical and emotional toll of war with such clarity that I found myself holding my breath more than once. The romantic relationships were also well-drawn—messy, believable, and reflective of the surreal world of wartime, where time and distance distort everything.I’m so glad Hannah didn’t end the story with the war’s conclusion. Following the character into the years beyond made it clear how war marks a person permanently, and how the struggle doesn’t stop when the fighting does. There’s no neat resolution—and that’s exactly the point.This is an important, beautifully written novel that gives voice to the silenced and forgotten. A must-read for anyone who thinks they know the story of Vietnam—it turns out, there’s so much more to be told.

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.

5/5 ⭐️Wow, exceptional but also, I am not okay after that (lol). Not to be dramatic, but this was a life-changing read. Not only because of the exceptional writing and storytelling, but because of the insight it offered into the Vietnam War, particularly the often-understated role of women who served. This book offers powerful recognition of their experiences.Watching Frankie’s growth in the first half of the book while she’s in Vietnam was incredibly inspiring. I found myself rooting for her, sitting on the edge of my seat during every MASCAL, hoping none of the casualties would be one of her friends. I felt like I was there with them,in the O club, in the chaos, in the camaraderie. I was moved to tears just 100 pages in. The love stories sewn in are so heart wrenching.The second half of the book was heartbreaking and infuriating. Seeing how much Frankie struggled to transition back to civilian life and the disrespect she faced made me so angry for her. The writing was so immersive I often forgot I was reading, I felt like I was at Frankie’s side the entire time. That’s a true testament to how detailed and powerful the storytelling is.This book unexpectedly shed light on a part of history I knew very little about. I went in not really knowing what to expect, and came away deeply moved and honored to have read such an incredible story. Learning about the women who served in Vietnam through this powerful narrative is something I won’t forget. I’ll be thinking about this story for a long time.TLDR: Powerful, moving, and unforgettable. A beautifully told story that honors the women who served in Vietnam, I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.