Kristin Hannah’s books never disappoint, and “The Women” is another of her sweeping historical fiction novels. It is set during and after the Vietnam War (1965-1982). The descriptions of casualties and medical facilities are graphic and horrifying, but are so necessary for the plot of the novel. The men and women who served in Vietnam, whether as soldiers, nurses or in other capacities lived through some terrible experiences and Hannah does an excellent job of telling their story.
Francis “Frankie” McGrath impulsively enlists to serve as a nurse in Vietnam. Her brother is being deployed and she is excited to join him in-country. When Frankie arrives in Vietnam, she is naive and inexperienced but soon becomes a dedicated surgical nurse. The friendships she makes with fellow nurses, Ethel and Barb, keep her going when the world is falling apart around her. Once Frankie returns to California, she finds that no one really cares about her service nor do they care about her experiences. She is treated very badly, and her life spirals out of control. Thanks to her girlfriends and several other friends, Frankie does find a new beginning after Vietnam, even though it is a struggle.
“The Women” is a beautiful novel – wonderfully researched and so detailed in its characters and descriptions. Some sections are heartbreaking and hard to read. (Make sure you have kleenex nearby.) At times, I felt like this was the novel version of the tv shows: “M.A.S.H.” (just a different war) or “China Beach.” This novel is a MUST for historical fiction lovers, readers who want to learn more about the Vietnam War and readers who just love a great story where friendship and hope win out!