The Women by Kristin Hannah

Rating: 4 of 5 stars 

Pages: 464 pages
Published: February 2024

The Women by Kristin Hannah is a work of historical fiction that follows the coming-of-age of protagonist Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young woman who naively volunteers to serve as a nurse in the Vietnam war. Inspired by her father’s wall of military heroes and encouraged by a childhood friend who insists that women can be heroes too, Frankie signs up shortly after her older brother deploys. Just before she leaves, she learns he has been killed in combat — an emotional blow that shapes everything that follows.

Against her parents’ wishes and their shared fear of losing their only surviving child, Frankie arrives in Vietnam and is immediately thrust into the brutal reality of war. She forms deep bonds, loses people she cares about, and witnesses unimaginable tragedy. When she returns home, she finds a country in turmoil. Society is severely fractured by protests against the war, and most of the public is unwilling to acknowledge the service of those who fought. The remaining two-thirds of the novel follow Frankie as she struggles to heal, rebuild her identity, and navigate a world that no longer makes sense to her. 

I found the historical elements of this book incredibly compelling. While I wasn’t alive during this era, I grew up learning about it. I remember the late Senator John McCain sharing his story as a POW during his presidential campaign. That context helped ground my reading. What challenged me, however, was Frankie’s naivety. It was difficult to imagine someone like her volunteering for a war without doing any research, and her sense of helplessness upon returning home was frustrating at times. But I also recognize that I read this in 2026, through a modern lens where women (at least for now) have far more independence and agency than they did in the late 60s and 70s. My expectations were shaped by my own era, not hers. 

It was also jarring to read about soldiers returning home without support or celebration. Coming from a military family with service in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, my lived experience is that service members are honored for their bravery. That disconnect is a limitation of me as the reader; not the book. 

Now, the part I cannot forgive, and hence the 4-star rating, was the romance elements. It felt so unbelievable that a woman who survived the death and devastation of Vietnam would remain so emotionally stuck on a lost love. I wanted Frankie to be stronger, and I felt the romantic thread was unnecessarily drawn out. Still, once I pushed through that section, the ending delivered a satisfying and meaningful conclusion.

Recommendation: Hannah is a gifted writer with an extraordinary ability to transport readers to the time periods she brings to life. Her research permeates every page, and this novel is clearly a labor of love. In her endnotes, she shares that she first wanted to write this book in 1997, and honestly, I’m glad she waited because I might have missed it otherwise. The Women is Kristin Hannah at her best, and I recommend picking up a copy. In a moment when we find ourselves in another global conflict no one asked for, this novel is a powerful reminder that if we don’t learn from history, we are destined to repeat it. 

Other Books by Kristin Hannah I’ve Reviewed 

The Four Winds

The Nightingale 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.