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.
