I never excelled in history….I just wasn’t that person that enjoyed the subject much. Maybe this is why I enjoy historical fiction so much now…to catch up on everything I missed in a “story-like” fashion vs. just memorizing the facts. Kristin Hannah stated in her interview that she wanted to wait until she was a more established writer to write about The Vietnam War. The country was divided about the war so she wanted to be ready to present it well. The Women is the end result and came together fantastically.
The Characters ~
There are a number of characters introduced throughout the entire story of The Women. I have listed the ones that seem to have the most impact on Frankie’s life.
- Frances (Frankie) McGrath – nursing student from wealthy family
- Finley McGrath – Frankie’s brother
- Bette McGrath – Frankie’s mother
- Connor McGrath – Frankie’s father
- Rye Walsh – Finley’s best friend
- Patty Perkins – Surgical nurse
- Major Goldstein – Chief nurse
- Ethel Flint – ER nurse, Frankie’s hooch mate
- Barb Johnson ~ Surgical nurse, Frankie’s hooch mate
- Jamie Callahas – Surgical doctor
- Captain Ted Smith – Doctor
- Slim & Coyote – Seawolves
- Rob Aldean – Doctor
- Harry “Hap” Dickerson – Doctor
- “Gasman” – Nurse anesthesist
- Sharlene – Nurse
- Margie Sloan – Frankie’s hooch mate
- Captain Mark Morse – Doctor
- Stan – Rye’s dad
- Becky – Frankie’s high school friend
“Women Can Be Heroes!” ~
Frankie comes from a wealthy family that believes women have their place in the home while men go off to war. She never considered anything else until the words, “women can be heroes too” were stated to her in a conversation. These very words are what drove her to enlist as an Army nurse. Craving to be near her brother, who had already left for war, her naivete led her to believe she could serve near him and make her family proud as well.
Was Frankie’s Training Sufficient ~
Undeterred by the fact that other branches of the military did not find her skilled enough, Frankie continued on her mission to serve until the Army finally said yes. In hindsight, maybe the other branches were right….or were they? She was quickly thrown into a world of life and death for more soldiers than she ever expected, not to mention the gore she witnessed. She rapidly becomes a seasoned trauma nurse, learning quickly and efficiently from more seasoned nurses and doctors. Sometimes lives were saved….other times she held hands and chattered to the soliders until their hands went lifeless in hers.
With people enlisting at different times, doctors and nurses were constantly replacing those that had already served their time. This only added to the continued confusion in the hospital as there was always time needed for the new staff to adjust to the horrific scenes they witnessed on a daily basis.
Living In The Chaos ~
In the midst of all the chaos and depression, the Army staff found some time to unwind. It is not unusual that relationships, both friend and intimate related, consumed these very small snippets of time that they had to be “normal.” Frankie had read the handbook and tried to remain professional as the rules stated, but she turned the heads of several different men. Knowing that any of them may not live to see another day only escalated the strong feelings they had for each other.
The friendships forged through the chaos are deeper than any relationships she had made through her socialite life back home. Romantically speaking, Frankie’s heart is constantly challenged as she develops deep feelings for different staff members, not ever knowing for sure if they are married or not.
Was Enlisting Worth It? ~
Just when you think Frankie has experienced more tragedies than any one person should face, you learn about the hate that is spewed at her because so many people are rioting against the war. Her life was at risk every….single….day and then to have to ask herself, “Was it worth it?”
Reconnecting with those who survived is the only way Frankie can continue on. Sometimes is it enough though? PTSD is a very real thing and each person finds a different way to combat it as best they can. Yet even through the reacquainting into “normal” life, Kristin Hannah keeps the plot twists coming.
The Women by Kristin Hannah, A Book Review ~
Hannah does an extraordinary job of putting you in the scene. Her descriptive manner both of the people and the surroundings make you feel as if you are right next to Frankie. Whether in the makeshift hospital rooms that many times are without light to the helicopter rides while being shot at, to the rare occasions they are enjoying music and downtime by the water, you will feel that you are right there too! It’s a hard call because I have loved every book I have read by Hannah, but I believe The Women has risen to my favorite!
Discussion Questions ~
- Have your thoughts on war changed or stayed the same after reading The Women by Kristin Hannah?
- Do you think Frankie’s thoughts of meeting up with her brother in Vietnam were unrealistic?
- Did you learn anything new about the Vietnam war from reading this book?
- Did Frankie’s nurse duties surprise you?
- Do you feel there should be a difference in nursing during a war vs. nursing during dad to day life?
- Were the views of Frankie’s parents reasonable regarding her going to war?
- Compare and contrast Frankie’s love interests?
- Is the friendship with Barb and Ethel stronger than friendships made during “normal” life?
- Did the system fail Frankie as a war veteran?
- Do you think Frankie would have been happier if she had reenlisted?
- Which plot twist surprised you the most?
- Do you think Frankie’s miscarriage was the result of being in the service?
- Having questions themselves about the war (Frankie, Barb and Ethel), do you think they regretted the time spent in service?
- Do you believe the American government was lying about the war?
- Do you think Frankie was a hero?
Wrapping Up ~
My favorite sentence in the book is, “She’d joined the Army to find her brother and found herself instead.” How Krisin Hannah can create such a plot through so much tragedy and confusion is beyond amazing to me. Not only did I find myself wanting to understand more about the Vietnam War, but I was engrossed in the lives of each of her richly developed characters! I rate this book a 5 out of 5!
Have you read Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah? ⬅️ Read my review of this historical fiction that explores the intricate relationship between mothers and daughters.
Have you read The Women by Kristin Hannah? I would love to hear your thoughts! Comment below!!!
Happy Reading ~
Mimi
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I love all kind of fiction books and even though I’ve never heard of The Women before, your review actually made me want to read it! So, thanks for sharing!
I hope you give it a try! It is such a good book as are so many others by Kristin Hannah! Thanks for reading my post!
This book sounds great. I’ve been listening to The Four Winds by the same author and I have been enjoying it quite a bit, she really brings the depression alive in the story. I will have to check out this one as well.
Yes! She is an awesome author in my opinion. I hope you enjoy The Women as well!
This books sounds like there’s so many life lessons written in between some tragedies. This books definitely sound intriguing! Thanks for the book review, added it to my list of books to read.
It really is such a good read! I always enjoy when you learn a little history along with a good story!
I’m a huge Kristin Hannah fan. My coworker introduced me to her books a few years ago. I’ll have to pick this one up and share it with her as well.
I love Kristin Hannah too! I know you will enjoy reading The Women as well!
I read the book and couldn’t put it down. Viet Nam was my generations war and the details in the book gave me a new understanding of what our men and women went through. Five stars!
Karen, me as well! It was a fantastic book! I love that it gives us so much insight into a war that isn’t talked about much! Five stars for me too! Have you read other Kristin Hannah books?
I just finished The Women….loved the book and your well written review! The relationships of the characters were so real, the descriptions of Vietnam so vivid, and the plot so interesting. I was so engrossed in the story, I read the book in one day! Your review was wonderful….I loved the questions…helped me reflect on everything!
Thank you so much for stopping by! I agree, the relationships were real…I felt like I knew them! The descriptions of Vietnam made me feel like I was there. Kristin Hannah is such a great author. I’m so glad that the questions supplied at the end of my post were helpful….we use those in my book club and it always seems to get everyone talking!
I loved The Women and was sad to turn the last page but very content with the ending. The story was so emmersive and felt authentic to what life in Vietnam during the war was like as well as how fragmented, disorienting, and divided life back in the States would have been at the time. The characters were well written and the facts well researched. Every chapter leaves you wanting more.
I, too, loved The Women. Kristin Hannah does such a great job of making you feel like you are there in the story. It actually opened my eyes to how divided the States were over the Vietnam war….how devastating. Have you read other books by her?