Helpful Score: 5
This was the hardest book I ever read. Hannah has a way of making you fit right in to her novels. I felt the pain and suffering in The Great Alone and The Four Winds. I always felt like I needed a shower from all the dust and the grit after putting down The Four Winds. The Women brought back all the feels from the Viet Nam era. This was my time. I knew many people who went off to war, and many who refused. I know a few who never came home, and many who never were the same when they did, both physically and mentally. I know several who have been affected by agent orange. I participated in many marches for peace. I was at the massive march in Washington DC. I wore a POW bracelet for years. Thankfully, my soldier came home. I had to put this book down after every few chapters and take a breather. It was very emotionally draining. The pain didn't stop after her return home, because Hannah has captured post traumatic stress syndrome perfectly. My favorite part was the camaraderie of Frankie, Barb and Ethel. They were there for each other every inch of the way. The part I hated the most was the way the nurses were totally ignored by the veteran's services-being told there were no women in Viet Nam, when they had every right to be there as the men did. This book will stay with me for a long time, as many of Kristin Hannah's books do.
Helpful Score: 3
Frankie McGrath chose to follow her brother, Finley, and joined the Army Nurse Corps and followed his path into the Vietnam War. Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and a country that wants to forget Vietnam. Frankie would stop by the VA and go to discussion groups and be told that only men were in Vietnam and fought in the war. Even her parents told her not to talk about the war. Kristin Hannah has written a book about all the women who served in Vietnam. The book is a great tribute to these women and one that should be read by all. Her best friends, Barb and Ethel, she met in Vietnam. They help her as best they can to overcome her inability to get back to normal. There are many other parts of the book that I could write about but I think you should just get a copy and read it for yourself. It's a great book and there are three words that stand out: WE WERE THERE!
Helpful Score: 1
The first half of this book takes place in Viet Nam, in 1967-1969. Not a good time. Frankie is a young, naive nurse. She learns fast. The second half is when she gets home, suffering from what is later known as PTSD. But she's told that women weren't in Viet Nam, and therefore couldn't have any problems. This second half was not as mesmerizing as the first was. A few too many 'coincidences' for one person. But still, it's well written, and will hold your interest. If you're looking for more on Viet Nam era nurses, read 'Don't Mean Nothing' by Susan O'Neill also.
If you grew up during the time the Vietnam War was going on you must read this book. I watched a close uncle, only six years older than me, leave and return from Vietnam. He struggled with many social situations and health issues from Agent Orange. He died way too young. This book has given me such insight into what he most likely experienced and talked little about. It has left an imprint on me, respect for the veterans and much more understanding of the Vietnam war.
The Women by Kristin Hannah brings us to the Vietnam War, particularly to the women who served. As with other Kristin Hannah books, this one covers a lot of ground, incorporating a multitude of challenges and issued faced by these women - as women, as those who served in war, as survivors, and as veterans. Frankie is a memorable character telling a memorable story.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2025/03/the-women.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2025/03/the-women.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
I have read many books by this author, but this one will definitely have a lasting impact.Â
Frances aka "Frankie" McGrath's brother Finley enlists in the Navy along with his best friend Joseph Ryerson Walsh aka "Rye" and are deployed to Vietnam. Before leaving, Frankie's parents have a going away party. Frankie spends time in her dad's office looking at the hero's wall and tells Rye that there are only men on the wall who "serve their country". Rye tells her, "Women can be heroes".Â
Fankie decides to serve her country by joining the The Army Nurse Corps and thus, serve a tour in Vietnam. Unfortunately, when she tells her parents they are absolutely livid! Moreover, on that exact same day, all three of them find out that Finley has been killed in action.Â
Frankie ends up being assigned to the Thirty-Six Evac Hospital and meets Ethel Flint, ER from Virginia, and Barb Johnson, surgical nurse from Georgia. Since Frankie has no clinical experience and obtained her nursing degree from some catholic school, she is assigned to the night shift at the neurology ward. All of the patients are brain-damaged and are waiting to see a neurologist at the Third Field Hospital.Â
Several weeks later, Frankie is then transferred to the OR. As a way to cope with the stress and trauma of working in a field hospital, she starts smoking and drinking. Furthermore, she meets Captain Jamison Callahan, aka "Jamie", a talented doctor and field surgeon, who develops romantic feelings for Frankie, but she does not reciprocate because he is married.Â
Later on, Jamie's helicopter is hit by enemy fire, and he is suffering from left leg amputation, head trauma, and a dangerous chest injury. As he is transported to the hospital via helicopter, his heart stops, leading Frankie to believe he is dead.Â
Soon after, Frankie is transferred to the Seventy-First Evac in Pleiku near the Cambodia border and heavy fighting. As a result, Barb puts in for a transfer to join her. While in Pleiku, Frankie takes an R and R break in Saigon and runs into Rye. Rye lies to Frankie about being married, and the two of them begin an intimate relationship.Â
When her first tour ends in March 1968 she decides to do another tour because she feels she is still needed and wants to continue helping. She finally returns to California in March 1969.Â
After returning from Vietnam, Frankie faces societal rejection, the psychological impact of the war, and the lack of governmental support for female veterans, leading to a difficult readjustment to civilian life. She struggles with PTSD and addiction, ultimately finding healing and purpose through therapy, reconnecting with old friends, and creating The Last Best Place, a haven for women veterans.Â
Frances aka "Frankie" McGrath's brother Finley enlists in the Navy along with his best friend Joseph Ryerson Walsh aka "Rye" and are deployed to Vietnam. Before leaving, Frankie's parents have a going away party. Frankie spends time in her dad's office looking at the hero's wall and tells Rye that there are only men on the wall who "serve their country". Rye tells her, "Women can be heroes".Â
Fankie decides to serve her country by joining the The Army Nurse Corps and thus, serve a tour in Vietnam. Unfortunately, when she tells her parents they are absolutely livid! Moreover, on that exact same day, all three of them find out that Finley has been killed in action.Â
Frankie ends up being assigned to the Thirty-Six Evac Hospital and meets Ethel Flint, ER from Virginia, and Barb Johnson, surgical nurse from Georgia. Since Frankie has no clinical experience and obtained her nursing degree from some catholic school, she is assigned to the night shift at the neurology ward. All of the patients are brain-damaged and are waiting to see a neurologist at the Third Field Hospital.Â
Several weeks later, Frankie is then transferred to the OR. As a way to cope with the stress and trauma of working in a field hospital, she starts smoking and drinking. Furthermore, she meets Captain Jamison Callahan, aka "Jamie", a talented doctor and field surgeon, who develops romantic feelings for Frankie, but she does not reciprocate because he is married.Â
Later on, Jamie's helicopter is hit by enemy fire, and he is suffering from left leg amputation, head trauma, and a dangerous chest injury. As he is transported to the hospital via helicopter, his heart stops, leading Frankie to believe he is dead.Â
Soon after, Frankie is transferred to the Seventy-First Evac in Pleiku near the Cambodia border and heavy fighting. As a result, Barb puts in for a transfer to join her. While in Pleiku, Frankie takes an R and R break in Saigon and runs into Rye. Rye lies to Frankie about being married, and the two of them begin an intimate relationship.Â
When her first tour ends in March 1968 she decides to do another tour because she feels she is still needed and wants to continue helping. She finally returns to California in March 1969.Â
After returning from Vietnam, Frankie faces societal rejection, the psychological impact of the war, and the lack of governmental support for female veterans, leading to a difficult readjustment to civilian life. She struggles with PTSD and addiction, ultimately finding healing and purpose through therapy, reconnecting with old friends, and creating The Last Best Place, a haven for women veterans.Â
