The Women
The missing. The forgotten. The brave… The women.
From master storyteller Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds, comes the story of a turbulent, transformative era in America: the 1960s. The Women is that rarest of novels—at once an intimate portrait of a woman coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided by war and broken by politics, of a generation both fueled by dreams and lost on the battlefield.
“Women can be heroes, too.”
When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these unexpected words, it is a revelation. Raised on idyllic Coronado Island and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing, being a good girl. But in 1965 the world is changing, and she suddenly imagines a different choice for her life. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she impulsively joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war, as well as the unexpected trauma of coming home to a changed and politically divided America.
The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on the story of all women who put themselves in harm’s way to help others. Women whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has all too often been forgotten. A novel of searing insight and lyric beauty, The Women is a profoundly emotional, richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose extraordinary idealism and courage under fire define a generation.
Reviews
From the moment I started The Women, I was engrossed. When Frankie arrived in Vietnam, I was with her. My husband was drafted and chose the Navy where he’d be a gunnery officer on a heavy cruiser for 3 tours. We were newly married and I wrote letters every day. This book allowed me to be there, with the fear, the horror, the camaraderie and joy. I shed many tears while I read. We made lifelong friends from his service. Thank you.
By A. Cris E.
Hannah created a masterful story honoring the unheard voices from the women in Vietnamese. Yes! Women served there. Great read, keeps you wanting more.
By IndyRocking
Definitely worth reading. I was very young when this war was going on and therefore ignorant of the real facts. Our country was so horrible for many years to these vets. Treated them like they were the enemy but kept sending them there to die in a war that we could not win. Our vets in all wars are our strongest people since they sacrifice so much for us and our country. I truly hope people read and learn from this excellent book and never forget our vets from then and now and every day in the future
By Mickey Melton
Your best book yet Kristin Hannah! I’ve read about 90 % of them. You are my favorite author always. Thanks for writing this extraordinary gripping story! Loved the heart behind it!
By Jeanne C.
Great work spotlighting women in Vietnam and the failure to respect and recognize their contributions.
By LE TAG