I never excelled in history….I just wasn’t that person that enjoyed the subject much. Maybe this is why I enjoy historical fiction so much now…to catch up on everything I missed in a “story-like” fashion vs. just memorizing the facts. Kristin Hannah stated in her interview that she wanted to wait until she was a more established writer to write about The Vietnam War. The country was divided about the war so she wanted to be ready to present it well. The Women is the end result and came together fantastically.
There are a number of characters introduced throughout the entire story of The Women. I have listed the ones that seem to have the most impact on Frankie’s life.
Frankie comes from a wealthy family that believes women have their place in the home while men go off to war. She never considered anything else until the words, “women can be heroes too” were stated to her in a conversation. These very words are what drove her to enlist as an Army nurse. Craving to be near her brother, who had already left for war, her naivete led her to believe she could serve near him and make her family proud as well.
Undeterred by the fact that other branches of the military did not find her skilled enough, Frankie continued on her mission to serve until the Army finally said yes. In hindsight, maybe the other branches were right….or were they? She was quickly thrown into a world of life and death for more soldiers than she ever expected, not to mention the gore she witnessed. She rapidly becomes a seasoned Trauma nurse, learning quickly and efficiently from more seasoned nurses and doctors. Sometimes lives were saved….other times she held hands and chattered to the soliders until their hands went lifeless in hers.
With people enlisting at different times, doctors and nurses were constantly replacing those that had already served their time. This only added to the continued confusion in the hospital as there was always time needed for the new staff to adjust to the horrific scenes they witnessed on a daily basis.
In the midst of all the chaos and Depression, the Army staff found some time to unwind. It is not unusual that Relationships, both friend and intimate related, consumed these very small snippets of time that they had to be “normal.” Frankie had read the handbook and tried to remain professional as the rules stated, but she turned the heads of several different men. Knowing that any of them may not live to see another day only escalated the strong feelings they had for each other.
The friendships forged through the chaos are deeper than any relationships she had made through her socialite life back home. Romantically speaking, Frankie’s heart is constantly challenged as she develops deep feelings for different staff members, not ever knowing for sure if they are married or not.
Just when you think Frankie has experienced more tragedies than any one person should face, you learn about the hate that is spewed at her because so many people are rioting against the war. Her life was at risk every….single….day and then to have to ask herself, “Was it worth it?”
Reconnecting with those who survived is the only way Frankie can continue on. Sometimes is it enough though? PTSD is a very real thing and each person finds a different way to combat it as best they can. Yet even through the reacquainting into “normal” life, Kristin Hannah keeps the plot twists coming.
Hannah does an extraordinary job of putting you in the scene. Her descriptive manner both of the people and the surroundings make you feel as if you are right next to Frankie. Whether in the makeshift hospital rooms that many times are without light to the helicopter rides while being shot at, to the rare occasions they are enjoying music and downtime by the water, you will feel that you are right there too! It’s a hard call because I have loved every book I have read by Hannah, but I believe The Women has risen to my favorite!
My favorite sentence in the book is, “She’d joined the Army to find her brother and found herself instead.” How Krisin Hannah can create such a plot through so much tragedy and confusion is beyond amazing to me. Not only did I find myself wanting to understand more about the Vietnam War, but I was engrossed in the lives of each of her richly developed characters! I rate this book a 5 out of 5!
Have you read Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah? 
Read my review of this historical fiction that explores the intricate relationship between mothers and daughters.
Have you read The Women by Kristin Hannah? I would love to hear your thoughts! Comment below!!!
Happy Reading ~
Mimi
The post The Women by Kristin Hannah ~ A Book Review appeared first on MiMi-a great name for grandma.
Originally Published on https://mimiblog.org/blog/
