The Women

A Novel

By: Kristin Hannah

Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Kristin Hannah

Length: 14 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

"Kristin Hannah’s potent storytelling skills are brilliantly served by narrator Julia Whelan, whose limber, low-pitched voice moves nimbly from person to person, capturing personality and mood, her empathy palpable."—The Washington Post

From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah's The Women—at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.

Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.

As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets—and becomes one of—the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.

But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.

The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.

©2024 Kristin Hannah (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Vietnam conflicts relived

Great book about the Vietnam era and all the conflicts involved with it. Lots of research went into this!

Kristin Hannah just keeps getting better

A beautiful tribute. Powerful, emotional, thought provoking and I learned a lot. The story was incredible, sad and sweet, raw and real. Once again, KH writes my new favorite book.

Great healing story for women vets

Well written. As a female vet, I found much needed healing from this story. I couldn't recommend it more.

Torturous

The gore is too off putting to bear reading the whole book. The description says it’s life after Vietnam but it’s all pus & amputations so far , In the end it was a very engaging story but I caution about the graphic first half .

Kristin Hannah- 5 stars?? Yep!

I will start by saying I don't ever remember giving a Hannah book 5 stars. I find that her older books are great beach reads, and some of the newer books she has published have been overly ambitious. I hated the Nightengale, and I thought the Great Alone was awful. The Four Winds was ok but more of a history lesson on The Dust Bowl.

However, 'The Women' is quite an accomplishment. Not only does Hannah nail the history lesson, she pulls the listener in with her to experience the devastation of war, the loss of love, and the comfort of friendship and partnership. This book is raw. It brings to life a perfect picture of the horrible treatment our veterans suffered when coming back from Vietnam. BUT, it focuses on the plight of the females who were in Vietnam, and no one knew it!

If you want to experience a wonderful time piece full of rich history and abundant human strength and spirit, get your Kleenex out and listen to this beautiful book.

Way to go Ms. Hannah- you knocked this out of the ball park. I so enjoyed this listen!

-Wendi

Authentic women of VietNams war

A page turning story of a political losing war by the women who were there. Painful story that resonates a personal journey told by one who lived through it to recovery years later. A love story gone wrong by an untold truthfulness by twists and turns. Broken family rules finally told the truth by the survivors of this story. Truth does hurt and love wins overall.

A rare glimpse into Vietnam

Loved the characters and the details of the story rich with historical facts. I’m usually a fan of this narrator but I really didn’t enjoy the moments of yelling/screaming. It’s a small part of the story but it did annoy me enough to mention. Definitely worth a listen and I’ll be thinking about these women for a long time to come.

Outstanding!

This is the best novel I have ever read with a performance second to none. You will hold each character in your heart as you celebrate and break with them through their time in Vietnam and beyond. This story of family, friendship, heartbreak, heroism, and resiliency will leave you breathless.

Five stars

I have read every one of her books. And her last 4 have blown me away. This one did not disappoint!! Thank you for the beautiful historical fiction! You bring these stories to life and do justice to the tragedies and characters! Well done.

Up there with Nightengale

I have read many of Kristin Hannah’s novels and love them all. But as a huge fan of historical fiction Nightengale has always been my favorite even though Magic Hour and Four Winds imagery constantly pops up in my brain. The Woman is up there for historical fiction with Nightengale with the emotions and imagery of magic hour. The struggles of a woman finding her way in life through a war and the aftermath of a war that impacted all of us. A must read. Loved it. And the detail and respect for history is overwhelming.