The Women: A Novel Hardcover – February 6, 2024

5/5 ⭐️Wow, exceptional but also, I am not okay after that (lol). Not to be dramatic, but this was a life-changing read. Not only because of the exceptional writing and storytelling, but because of the insight it offered into the Vietnam War, particularly the often-understated role of women who served. This book offers powerful recognition of their experiences.Watching Frankie’s growth in the first half of the book while she’s in Vietnam was incredibly inspiring. I found myself rooting for her, sitting on the edge of my seat during every MASCAL, hoping none of the casualties would be one of her friends. I felt like I was there with them,in the O club, in the chaos, in the camaraderie. I was moved to tears just 100 pages in. The love stories sewn in are so heart wrenching.The second half of the book was heartbreaking and infuriating. Seeing how much Frankie struggled to transition back to civilian life and the disrespect she faced made me so angry for her. The writing was so immersive I often forgot I was reading, I felt like I was at Frankie’s side the entire time. That’s a true testament to how detailed and powerful the storytelling is.This book unexpectedly shed light on a part of history I knew very little about. I went in not really knowing what to expect, and came away deeply moved and honored to have read such an incredible story. Learning about the women who served in Vietnam through this powerful narrative is something I won’t forget. I’ll be thinking about this story for a long time.TLDR: Powerful, moving, and unforgettable. A beautifully told story that honors the women who served in Vietnam, I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.

Kristin Hannah is back, baby!!! In a world where The Nightingale is numero uno I am here to tell you The Women gives it a run for its money!What an emotional rollercoaster ride! In true Hannah fashion, she rips your heart apart and mends it back together but with this one she did it to me several times. In a span of two pages, mine was pieced together just to be shattered again. But the ending. Oh my goodness. That ending. 🥺❤️Historical fiction has always been a favorite of mine, but the last year or so I haven't really focused on it. I knew when I saw this book releasing I was going to read it and with the high praise I saw right off the bat even before its release, I had a feeling I, too, was going to love it. But I also was hesitant, because Historical Fiction hasn't been my go to lately. It can seem daunting to me at times. They are usually based on true stories and real people, so you know it is going to be an emotional ride. You just don't know if you are ready to embark on that journey or not. If you know what I am talking about or have felt similar, I am here to tell you, do not let that hold you back on reading this book! This book has the emotions of a romance novel, the edge of your seat tension like a thriller, and it is an absolutely must read for everyone! Please don't let this one pass you by. Even if historical fiction is not your normal go to genre, I promise this one is worth it!Hannah's writing is something magical. You are immediately hooked and transported to this world she has created on page one. In our world of reading books, there are good writers, there are bad writers, and then there are phenomenal writers. And Kristin Hannah, my friends, is a phenomenal writer!! When you read her books, you are seeing the words play out inside your head so easily, you feel like you are watching a movie. She is cinematic and that is how I know this book is going to translate so well to screen. How can it not with the foundation she has provided them?? (Yes, Warner Bros. has picked this up for a film! 🙌)So many HF novels focus on WWII. I love those books just as much as the next person, but it is so refreshing to get a different time period, especially from a queen like Hannah. I know nothing of the Vietnam War. I do remember seeing footage of how some people reacted and their opinions of the war, but not to the depths this book takes you on. Or how women were treated that were veterans in this war. That was eye-opening and heart wrenching, but sadly not surprising.Yes, this felt personally for me. As a nurse and a former ICU nurse, I love when we get a protagonist that is also in my field. But this book gutted me and made it feel like Hannah personally dug deep into my soul and stirred up feelings I had buried down deep with this one. I was wrecked. Like sitting in a Mexican restaurant with people all around with tears streaming down my face wrecked while reading this book. I can't tell you the last time a book emotionally wrecked me like this one did. Now I am not saying everyone will have that visceral reaction. In fact most probably won't, but I am just telling you that is the response this book got from me. 😅 As usual, I went in blind not knowing what this book was about. I saw high praise and great feedback so I was excited, but like I said earlier I wasn't expecting this response from reading it.If you'd like to know a short synopsis of the book, it centers around a combat nurse, Frankie, who as recently graduated from nursing school, and despite her parents' protests and disappointment she has joined the Army to assist as a combat nurse in the Vietnam War. You watch Frankie transform from a naive, young girl who is in way over her head into a straight rockstar and that is something I think everyone in our field can relate to despite all of us not being in a similar predicament she is in.It is divided into two parts. Frankie's experience during the war and when she comes home. That was another unique take that I appreciated from the author. So many books stay in the combat part of war. Rarely have I read one where you go with the protagonist when they come back home and deal with the "After" part. There are some triggers, so if you want to know more about those feel free to reach out!I've never read a book centered around the Vietnam War, so I am extremely grateful Hannah chose this time period to write this amazing novel. And if you haven't gathered it already, I highly recommend this book for everyone. You are simply doing yourself a disservice if you skip over it. Period.**Also fun fact and as if i couldn't love this book anymore, my name made an appearance in the book. Granted it was spelled different (Celine), but it was still a pleasant surprise. ☺️

An excellent read, a true testimony to the Vietnam war, the soldiers and the women that were there to help, heal, fight and suffer as they all did. Kristin did a fantastic work with engagement and imagery. Very well written and an emotional truth brought to attention.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into The Women by Kristin Hannah—this isn’t my usual genre—but I’m really glad I read it. It was emotional, powerful, and full of heavy topics that left an impact.The story follows Frankie, a young nurse who joins the Army during the Vietnam War. Watching her grow, struggle, and navigate both the war and its aftermath was heartbreaking but eye-opening. I didn’t cry like some readers mentioned, but I think that’s because there was so much going on, it felt hard to fully process one thing before another emotional hit came.What stood out the most to me was how much I learned—especially about the role of women during the war and how badly they were treated when they returned home. It made me want to learn more about that time period, and I genuinely hope this story gets adapted into a movie someday. I think it would be an incredibly important and moving film.The writing was beautiful, and the friendships in this book were a bright spot. While the pacing felt overwhelming at times, this was still a powerful and worthwhile read. Definitely one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.