I know, I know. This was not one of the books on my June TBR. I’m working on those too, but this was an audiobook that I needed to finish because I had been lucky to get it so quickly after having to return it. But I promise, I am working through my June TBR. I’ve made some good progress through my first book already and I started it on Monday. But, we will talk about that one when I finish it. Today, let’s talk about The Women.
The Women Summary
The Women is a historical fiction written by Kristin Hannah. It takes place during the Vietnam war and we follow Frances McGrath, who prefers to go by Frankie. At the beginning of the book she is at a party for her brother, as he is about to be sent off to Vietnam. Everyone is proud of him but Frankie knows she will miss him. At the party, one of his friends says something that sticks with Frankie. Women can be heroes too. The more she thinks about it, the more she knows what she wants to do. She wants to go to Vietnam as a combat nurse.
Sometimes Easy is not Better
When the Navy and Airforce tell her she needs 2 years training before she can go, she turns to the army and after a few weeks of basic training, she ships out to Vietnam. Upon arriving she immediately is overwhelmed by the reality of the situation and knows she’s in over her head. Thankfully, her two hooch mates, Ethel and Barb, take her under their wings and the three become more than friends – they become sisters of war. But Frankie is about to learn that going home is much harder than being in a war.
The Women Positives
Okay, where to begin. There was so much about this book that I absolutely loved. The raw emotion of the first part of the book, where you’re in the thick of war, was written so well. Hearing about the good and bad, the beautiful and the ugly. It was such powerful writing. And then we get to the second part of the book and you hear about how Frankie struggles to adjust to everyday life, all the while hearing over and over the same thing. There were no women in Vietnam. I felt like I was struggling right there with her, hurting with her, and suffering with her. It was so powerful that I actually cried listening to this character struggle and not get the help or recognition that she deserved.
The Negatives
For the first time in a long time, I don’t really have any. Yes, there were moments I wanted to strangle characters in the book, but you knew while it was happening that that was the time. Things like this actually happened. When Frankie frustrated me it was because I wanted her to win, to be better, and not fall for certain things or people. I wanted a happy ending for her. And the stupid decisions she made at times was because of certain factors in her life that I can’t say without spoiling the book. So, all in all, this book didn’t have negatives.
The Women Final Thoughts and Rating
I’m sure you can guess, but I gave this book a 5 star rating. I didn’t think I was a person who could cry in books. After all, I didn’t cry in The Nightingale, which was also a heavy war read. But this one got me. It was wonderfully written and you felt all the emotions of the main character, battled with her, suffered with her and hoped with her. I highly recommend this book to any of you who have not read it. What more can I say? 5 stars. Well done Kristin Hannah and thank you for all the hard work and research that went into this novel.
Where Do We Go From Here
To our June TBR of course. I’m making my way through my book club pick because I need to have that done for Monday. Because of my 75 Booked challenge, I like to read a different book with each reading session. So, I contemplated trying to work on Monte Cristo during my second reading session, but I think I’ll read my book club pick for both reading sessions for the rest of the week. Because I need to get this done. Then we can play with dual reads. Until the next blog, remember that anything can happen if we try.
