Exploring the Unforgettable Women in Kristin Hannah's Latest Novel: A Book Review

Jessica Tayse
Mar 30, 2024
1 min read

Updated: Mar 31, 2024

By Jess Tayse

March 30, 2024

Kristin Hannah's latest historical fiction, The Women: A Novel, focuses on army nurse Frankie McGrath, your typical "California Girl" as she follows her brother's ghost into the Vietnam jungle. Driven by her desire to be a part of her father's "hero wall", she braves uncertainty, danger, and conditions beyond her wildest imagination. She forges unbreakable relationships with her fellow nurses and endures disgust and ignorance upon her return home, even from veteran groups and organizations. The refrain "There are no women in Vietnam" haunts her at every corner as she faces alcoholism and drug addiction as well as lasting physical fallout from Agent Orange. Frankie struggles with her love relationships, but perhaps her biggest struggle is her love of self.

This book is not a light-hearted read, but it is not one to shy away from. The gore and blood Frankie endures as a surgery nurse is described, but Hannah does not focus on these details. Instead, she focuses more on the emotions and physical experience itself. I cried several times, but especially during the last portion of the book. I feel changed by and grateful for the experience. "Women can be heroes too."

Possible trigger warnings: war, death, miscarriage, gore

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Publication date: February 6, 2024

Length: 480 pages