Book Summary
“The Women” is a story about the Vietnam War, centered on a twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath . Raised in sunny Coronado, California, Frankie’s life was full of comfort. But in 1965, her world has changed . When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and trades her sheltered upbringing for the front lines.
Frankie arrives Vietnam, and faces the raw horror of war that she wasn’t prepared for. Amid the bloodshed and exhaustion, she finds unexpected strength in two fellow nurses, Ethel and Barb. Their friendship becomes a rare comfort in a place where death is routine.
But the war’s scars don’t fade when she comes home. Instead of gratitude, Frankie returns to a divided America. Protesters scorn veterans, and no one acknowledges the women who served. History pretends they weren’t there—but Frankie knows the truth.
Struggling with PTSD and a shattered sense of self, she fights for something harder than survival: recognition. Her battle isn’t just about her own trauma, but for every forgotten woman who bled in that war.
Author Intro
Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah is one of today’s most beloved authors. She writes stories lingering in readers mind after the last page. Whether it’s the wartime bravery in The Nightingale, the Dust Bowl struggles in The Four Winds, or the wilderness survival in The Great Alone, her novels always image strong women facing unbearable challenges. That’s also why she wins many female fans around the world.
Thanks to her thorough research, her stories are full of historical facts . But she never lets facts overshadow the characters and story. Instead, she finds the small, personal moments within big historical events. Love, family, resilience, and sacrifice are always the themes she returns to again and again, and with a fresh perspective each time.
Now, with The Women, she turns her attention to the Vietnam War, focusing on the nurses and servicewomen whose stories have rarely been told. As always, she makes history feel immediate, intimate, and deeply moving.
Book Reviews of The Women
Kristin Hannah has delivered another absolute masterpiece! “The Women” is everything I adore about her books – an epic historical backdrop, a courageous heroine you can’t help but root for, and an emotional journey that completely sweeps you away. Frankie McGrath’s story is heartbreaking, inspiring, and utterly unforgettable. Hannah plunges you right into the chaos of Vietnam alongside Frankie and her fellow nurses, making you feel their fear, their exhaustion, and the incredible strength they found in each other. The bonds of friendship between Frankie, Ethel, and Barb are the heart and soul of this novel – pure Hannah magic! And the story doesn’t stop there; the portrayal of Frankie’s struggle coming home is just as powerful and devastating. I cried multiple times reading this book – tears of sadness, anger, and ultimately, hope. Hannah has such a gift for illuminating forgotten corners of history and giving voice to unsung heroines.
I picked up The Women expecting another touching story like The Nightingale, and while this book delivers a similar emotional punch, it’s a heavier, darker read. The writing is beautiful and the story is important—but be warned, it’s intense.
History has a habit of forgetting women. Kristin Hannah refuses to let that happen. In The Women, Hannah writes a defiant and beautiful eulogy to the thousands of American women who served in Vietnam and returned to silence. Frankie McGrath is more than a protagonist—she is a vessel for all the forgotten female veterans who were expected to quietly erase their experiences.
There’s a lot to admire in The Women: the historical research, the emotional intensity, the focus on overlooked narratives. Kristin Hannah excels at storytelling with heart. But at times, the prose borders on melodrama.
