5.0 out of 5 stars Three little words - “They were there” Superb. Immersive, but shocking.

M.R. · 24 February 2024

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } "The women had a story to tell, even if the world wasn't quite yet ready to hear it, and their story began with three simple words. - We were there"Enlightening, informative and a fitting tribute to the female service women and medical staff who served in Vietnam, but whose voice was never heard because ‘no women were there’. Kristin Hannah is an author who always demonstrates the immense healing power through storytelling, where voices are no longer silent, and in this book ‘The Women’, she has written a fabulous heartbreaking story and an eye opening account of events in Vietnam that conquers without coercion and agitates without exaggerating.The Plot - Many know something of the war in Vietnam, yet many like me knew little of the number of the women in service and the female medical staff who suffered, endured, and lived through that conflict. Frankie brings to life the role and treatment of women, who until later years were barely acknowledged despite the crucial role many played in the war. While the men were branded heroes, the country was dishonourably quiet about the role that their women played. Women who witnessed many of the same horrors, lost their lives, and endured injuries like many men but to American citizens – they weren’t even there.This very human story of Frankie took us on a journey through this distressing period in history, and takes us through the decision to sign up, how her family relationships became strained with the decision, and then the impact on her because of her parent’s lack of support, particularly her fathers. Add to that the loss of the three men in Frankie's life, her brother and her two loves and her re-integration back into society and 'normal' life and we have one of the most memorable historical fiction books I have ever read.Review and Comments - 'The Women' is an exquisite novel that will leave imprints on your heart and in your mind a long time after reading, not just about the brutality of war and loss on both sides, but the treatment and deafening silence about the role the women played. The book has an abundance of great characters, particularly Frankie who was portrayed as a very human person. An incredible woman, strong, determined, and courageous with an enormous capacity for love and forgiveness, but who for years suffered from the effects of war and because she ‘was not there’ never received the care and support needed to prevent PTSD.The storyline is superb, and the writing style is stunning. Historical fiction at its best as Kristin Hannah manages to hold a mirror up to society displaying themes of corruption, dishonour, loss, tragedy, PTSD, family relationships, and isolation as women and society struggled to contend and confront the very harsh reality of the story of ‘The Women’ in Vietnam. An awakening for many, then and now. An authentic account of an unforgotten and untold story. Sometimes brutal, sometimes beautiful. They were there.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book

B.P. · 14 June 2025

Wow what a book. I was a young teenager in the UK during the Vietnam years so didn’t pay much attention. Truly Kristin Hannah is a wonderful writer. During the whole book I could nearly feel I was there. I could feel the humidity, smell the stink of the place, hear the explosions and see the horror of the injuries that had to be dealt with. All this detail and the human emotions running through it. Just amazing writing. Just read it you won’t regret it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Kristin Hannah is a hero

A.W. · 21 April 2025

A historical based story about the often forgotten women who served in ‘Nam. Wonderfully written. The enduring thread of friendship and fearlessness between Barb and Frankie stayed with me. I found it very insightful on how veterans were mistreated on their return from the war, and the trauma that continued to haunt them in the context of a world that was still unsure of PTSD and wanted to bury the experiences of so many brave nurses and soldiers. It is a powerful read with so much lightness. Kristin Hannah has a way of telling important tales without being bleak.

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply The Best

G.C. · 27 April 2025

This was my first Kristin Hannah novel and it 100% lives up to all the hype and rave reviews. I was blown away by Frankie’s story, lived her life with her and was moved to tears frequently.When her brother Fin volunteers to serve in Vietnam, Frances McGrath joins the Army Nurse Corps swapping her sheltered, conservative upbringing in California for the operating rooms of evacuation hospitals at the heart of combat with only the most basic training under her belt. During her two tours of duty Frankie witnesses the realities of war. Horrific head wounds, gaping chest wounds, lost limbs, napalm burns. Forever female friendships and first love. Rats, the Officer’s Club, sleep deprivation, latrines and loss. Back in America attitudes have changed. There are no heroes anymore and there were no women in Vietnam. This part of the book is just as moving, hard-hitting and thought-provoking covering addiction, PTSD, the treatment of veterans, personal trauma, rehabilitation and overwhelming feelings of shame and anger. This era in American history was a real eye-opener for me.From under-fire chopper rides to the tranquillity of Montana, from Washington protest marches to beautiful, sandy beaches. Frankie, Ethel and Babs. Simply the best.

Emotional

H.G.P.d.V. · 16 March 2024

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I admit I'm not an emotional reader. It takes a lot me make me shed tears while reading, but the ending of this book was surprisinly emotional for me. I love reading historical novels, but I knew little about the Vietnam War and its outcomes to the soldiers and nurses who ventured in there in service. A really good book that like many other that I've been reading, show the forgotten role of women in wars that marked a whole generation.

Inspiring book, best I've read in a long time

F.R. · 9 February 2025

Truely inspiring, couldn't stop reading, the story caught me from page 1!I think it's a book that you won't forget and that, especially for women, shows how fortunate we are nowadays.

Magnifique

A.S. · 8 May 2025

Très beau livre; il nous replonge dans l‘histoire de la longue guerre au Vietnam au travers des personnages attachants, fragiles, courageux, humains. Très bien écrit.

I couldn't put this down!

M. · 29 October 2024

Before reading this book, I knew very little about the war in Vietnam, especially the women who fought in it. Kristen Hannah brings to light so much about this time period and the aftermath of the war and its effects on men and women who were drafted. I read it in a few days – it's one of those books where you love the characters so much you feel lost when you finish it. After The Nightingale, this is my favourite Kristen Hannah book.

An inspiring tale!

S.A.A. · 8 June 2025

Frankie McGrath a twenty years old nursing student's life is changed when she hears, women can be heroes. Set in the 1960's during the Vietnam War, without much thought she decides to follow her brother's footsteps into the Army to serve the nation as a nurse.Coming from a conservative family living in luxury in South California, the horrors of war season her into a person she never imagined herself to be. However, it is after her return home from the war that she discovers the prejudices, trauma and trials of being a woman who served the nation.A heartwarming tale so intricately held together with the lives of three women their friendship, love and family. The storytelling is seamless and emotions are raw and real to the core. Even though it is based on the war, I think there is so much to relate to our lives. I didn't find one dull moment in this narration.The war scenes come alive and is once again so relatable to the ongoing wars in our times. The character arc of Frankie and her two friends was well executed. The plight of Frankie's parents the distress and gap in understanding made my heart melt for them. Inspite of it all they stood with her till the end was incredibly warm.All in all I would recommend this book to all those who enjoy a good historical fiction unfold and wrap up.