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A review by joyceheinen
The Women by Kristin Hannah
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Kristin Hannah had the idea for “The Women” back in the late 90s, but she didn’t think she was ready to write about such an important subject then. Fortunately for us, she did eventually write it and I loved this novel.
Hannah is a very popular author, known for her historical fiction novels. I had never read from her, but after “The Women” I feel like I need to read more of her backlist.
Everyone has read about the Vietnam war at some point in their lives. Read stories, articles, seen movies and documentaries. Talking about the men that fought for their country. But no one ever talks about the women that were there. Because there were no women in Vietnam, they didn’t see combat. Hannah wrote the story, from the perspective of combat nurse Frankie McGrath, for the whole world to know about all the brave women that have saved many of these soldiers. They made sure many of these men got to return home.
After two tours in Vietnam, Frankie returns home, not knowing that her own war is just beginning. Where she thinks all the Vietnam veterans will be welcomed back with open arms, as heroes, she comes home to a divided America.
Hannah managed to portray Frankie respectfully. Starting out as a naïve girl, thinking she can be a hero and change the world, coming back broken, damaged and lost. I loved reading from Frankie’s perspective, I liked her as a character, felt empathy for her and understood her.
“The Woman” is a big book, the only reason I could not give it a perfect score. It felt a tad too long for me.
Hannah is a very popular author, known for her historical fiction novels. I had never read from her, but after “The Women” I feel like I need to read more of her backlist.
Everyone has read about the Vietnam war at some point in their lives. Read stories, articles, seen movies and documentaries. Talking about the men that fought for their country. But no one ever talks about the women that were there. Because there were no women in Vietnam, they didn’t see combat. Hannah wrote the story, from the perspective of combat nurse Frankie McGrath, for the whole world to know about all the brave women that have saved many of these soldiers. They made sure many of these men got to return home.
After two tours in Vietnam, Frankie returns home, not knowing that her own war is just beginning. Where she thinks all the Vietnam veterans will be welcomed back with open arms, as heroes, she comes home to a divided America.
Hannah managed to portray Frankie respectfully. Starting out as a naïve girl, thinking she can be a hero and change the world, coming back broken, damaged and lost. I loved reading from Frankie’s perspective, I liked her as a character, felt empathy for her and understood her.
“The Woman” is a big book, the only reason I could not give it a perfect score. It felt a tad too long for me.
If you like reading historical fiction, “The Women” is a wonderful pick. I’m definitely going to make my mom read this, she will love this.