The Women by Kristin Hannah

5/5 Stars

I am grateful to NetGalley and the incredibly talented author, Kristin Hannah, for the absolute privilege of being given the opportunity to read and review an Advanced Reader Copy of “The Women”. Forgive me if this is long, but there is much to say. This book was incredible!

As the daughter of a Vietnam Vet, I seek out opportunities to learn about that period in our nation’s history. Though born after the war, I vividly remember trips to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. with my dad as a child. I remember the melancholic, moving and powerful moment of seeing my reflection among the names of our nation’s forgotten heroes etched in the cold, black stone. I remember wondering as I saw my strong, heroic dad cry with abandon. I remember crying myself and the deep sense of sadness I felt as I witnessed him kiss the names of his brothers in arms. I remember gazing upon the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and wondering, “What were their stories?” As an avid reader, I often seek out books about this time period. As a huge fan of Kristin Hannah (She is one of my favorite authors), imagine my excitement when I heard about “The Women.” I cannot recall a time when I was more excited for a book to be released, and, let me tell you, Kristin Hannah absolutely delivered with this gripping, emotional and beautiful novel.

“The Women” is an historical fiction coming-of-age story that follows the life of Frankie McGrath. Frankie lives a sheltered, protected and privileged life on Coronado Island and reaches adulthood in the throes of one of the most tumultuous times in United States history: the Vietnam War. A brother at war, youthful ambition as well as impulsiveness, and five lifechanging words, “Women can be heroes, too,” do far more than simply nudge Frankie toward joining the Army Nurse Corps; they propel her. Her decision to join the Army as a nurse is the single most defining moment in her young life and ultimately changes the trajectory of her entire life. Kristin Hannah takes the reader through these moments and emotions and the very specific difficulties women in Vietnam faced in and upon return with grace, dignity and respect. The story begins in Frankie’s youth and culminates at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Kristin Hannah explores these years of Frankie’s life elegantly and full of raw emotion.

There is such complexity to this story but Hannah weaves it all together so well and cohesively. I, as a reader, did not want to put this book down. I became Frankie’s biggest cheerleader, and I found myself craving and looking forward to reading more.

It is worth noting that there are very difficult topics explored in this novel: war and all its horrible atrocities (obviously), suicide, love and love lost, pregnancy loss, addiction, PTSD. There is a significant amount of deep trauma, but I would think that would be expected with any book that explores the Vietnam War. However, out of this trauma rises unmatchable beauty and the reader will be deeply touched at the outcome.

Kristin Hannah clearly did her research and did it well with this novel. It is worth pointing out that she pulled the music into and would often state what song they were listening to. I know from my dad that the music was and still is highly important to Vietnam Vets, and I think the fact that Hannah wove this element of that era into the novel shows the great amount of thought, care, research and respect that she put into writing “The Women.” She cares about what our vets care about, even to the most minute detail.

This book is emotionally moving from the dedication to the very last page. Even the author’s notes will tug your heartstrings.

This novel is compelling.

It is heartbreaking.

It is uplifting.

It is complex.

It is necessary.

It is long overdue.

It requires about 400 boxes of tissues.

I felt such a plethora of emotions while reading “The Women,” and I felt them deeply. Kristin Hannah has a way of using the right words in just the right way to make the reader really feel what they are reading. I will never understand what our Vietnam Vets went through answering their country’s call, after they arrived home to a divided and unwelcoming nation and even still the lingering effects they feel today. But this book brings me one step closer. Though the fictional account of one woman’s story as a nurse in Vietnam, this book represents so many. The heroism of that generation of warriors, both men and women alike, is unmatched, and Kristin Hannah did them a good service, especially the women, by bringing their story to the forefront.

The book ends with Frankie visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. – the place I visited so many times with my own veteran dad. And I sit her wondering, was there ever a silent woman warrior beside me as I stared at my own reflection among the names? I can only hope I have been in the presence of such selfless heroism.

I am thankful Kristin Hannah felt compelled to write this novel. She tackled a difficult, under told story with grace, respect and dignity all the while uplifting our nation’s heroes. “The Women” is a must read. It is a very important story. But be warned, tissues are required. God bless our Vietnam Vets. God bless the women.

P.S. I am officially in a book hangover. How am I ever going to beat this book? Truly amazing!

#KristinHannah #NetGalley