Over the past few weeks, I’ve been listening to Kristin Hannah’s The Women, and let me tell you…. this one is going to stay with me for a long time. I chose the audiobook version, and I’m so glad I did. The narration brought the story to life in a way that felt authentic and immersive.
The story follows Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young nursing student whose life takes a dramatic turn when her beloved brother deploys to Vietnam. Inspired by his bravery and determined to do something meaningful, Frankie enlists in the Army Nurse Corps and soon finds herself on the frontlines of the Vietnam War.
In Vietnam, Frankie faces unimaginable challenges and heartbreak, forging powerful friendships with fellow nurses as they work tirelessly to save lives amidst chaos and destruction. But when she returns home, she discovers that the battle doesn’t end when you leave the war zone. The country she served doesn’t quite know how to receive her, or even how to acknowledge the contributions of the women who served.
This book was eye opening for me. Like so many others, I’ve learned bits and pieces about the Vietnam War over the years, but never through the lens of the women who served our country. The writing felt so authentic and well researched, and gave a voice to stories that have too often gone untold.
It was also an emotional rollercoaster. There were moments of heartbreak, pure joy, and everything in between. I especially loved the friendship bonds that Frankie builds with the other women. Those relationships felt so real and were the heart of the story for me. I’m a girl who treasures female friendships myself.
By the end, I was left with a deep gratitude for the women who gave so much during that time…. often without recognition. Their strength, courage, and resilience truly shine through these pages.
If you’re looking for a book that’s both powerful and moving and has that can’t-put-it-down feeling, I can’t recommend The Women enough. It will stay with you long after the final chapter.
Have you read The Women yet…. or a Kristin Hannah favorite? I haven’t read one I didn’t love! Drop your recommendations in the comments below.
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I read The Women in May of 2024…and I am still thinking about it and recommending it to friends and family. So glad you enjoyed it too. The characters were so well developed…the story line was riveting. I spent many late nights racing through the next chapter…weeping and pondering the relationships until the very end.