The Women by Kristin Hannah. Historical Fiction, 4.5 stars, 480 pages, 2024
Frankie enlists in the Army to serve as a nurse in the Vietnam War. What she finds there is not what she thought she was signing up for. And when she returns home she is repeatedly told, no women served in Vietnam.
I was completely drawn into first half of the book set in Vietnam. It was horrifying and, yet, purpose could be found and the bonds of friendship for a lifetime forged. The second half, once she returns home is equally heartbreaking and full of the shame and anger that the soldiers felt upon their return home.
My father was drafted and served in Vietnam. Although he rarely talks about the war itself, he does talk about how much disrespect they received once they were home.
The book is emotionally draining and I finished the 470 pages in less than 24 hours! It was addicting. Telling the story of women who saved lives in the Vietnam War is so important and I’m glad that it was done so well.
Some have complained about the end of book romance and I am mostly in agreement. I would have preferred that it was given its proper due or just left out altogether. But that didn’t spoil one bit of my enjoyment of the novel.
It seems to be the book of the season. Have you read it? What did you think?
Stacy's Books 
I put this book on my reading list. The story sounds a lot like the TV series, China Beach with Dana Delaney. I do not read many romances but The Women sounds like an excellent read.
I think the first half set in Vietnam was excellent. The second half, after she got back home, felt a little more like a tv show. I hope you like it.
I have this book, but I loaned it to a friend. I’m interested in stories about Vietnam.
I’ve read about the book and I’ve read other books by this author. Thanks for this review.
I read it and didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as most readers. I posted my review this morning.
I haven’t yet read The Women, but I do want to. Like your father, mine was in the Vietnam War too. My mom’s book group read it about a month ago and I think the overall impression was similar to yours.
I think having a father who served will give you a personal connection. It probably helped me with the second half of the book because I heard complaints about similar things that happened to all of them after they came back.