The Women ⭐⭐⭐

The Women by Kristin Hannah


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The book tells the story of Frances "Frankie" McGrath, a young nurse who serves in the United States Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War

G👀dreads:

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.
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.

Genre: Historical Fiction, War Story, Domestic Fiction, Vietnam
Circa: Mid 60's to early 70's.

It's been recommended a lot on the FB page and people in real life. I've had it on my TBR list for a while. I was messaging with a bookie friend and she said she decided on The Women so I figured I'd pick it too, so we can compare along the way and to see if it lives up to all the hype.
Added bonus: Narrated by Julia Whelan, one of my very favs.

It seems to be wildly popular. We know how that turned out with the octopus though so, any bets?

Irrelevant side note: During this timeframe, very good family friends had a niece who joined the Army and was deployed to Vietnam. She was also very sheltered by her parents, being the only daughter with three brothers. I remember her mother being on pins and needles the entire time she served. Everyone thought she'd have a nervous breakdown. Difference being Frankie in the book was already a nurse. B joined to Army so she could become a nurse on the government's dime. Not uncommon for people to join the armed forces to get an education they could not otherwise afford.

⭐⭐⭐ Like a 3 minus, or 2.68 but not splitting stars.

I finished the damn book on the drive home. I don't understand why so many people recommend The Women by Kristin Hannah All.The.Time.

It's a story that needs to be told (IMO). The women worked day and night in horrific conditions trying to save lives, often the last hand held and face seen before a soldier died, if they didn't die in the field. They came home to anti-war protesters and bitterness, underappreciated. Understandable that people were pissed America was even there, but shouldn't have been taken out on our veterans.

Overall the characters were that of a romance novel. She was so pretty all the men wanted her. All the men are Hollywood handsome. There was I reason I stopped reading Danielle Steel in my 20s. The first half painted a good picture of War is Hell. The second half was horrible and soap opera romance novel. 

🎧Julia Whelan did a phenomenal job with the narration or I probably wouldn't have given it ⭐⭐. 

I'm not sorry I finished it. I really wanted to try to understand the hype, not only for this book but for Kristin Hannah as well since I had not read anything by her yet. A lot of people say she's their favorite or "anything Kristin Hannah". This was my first KH and will most likely be my last KH.

Nope, I can't recommend this one. If you're interested in historical fiction of the Vietnam war nurses, check Librarian Google. There are several others.

***Spoiler Alert***
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She tried to seek help at the VA twice and both times was told "women weren't in Vietnam". When she said she was a nurse they said support groups were only for the men in combat.

First half of the book was: A rich and privileged white girl goes to war, war is hell, coming home was just a deeper level of hell. So far, okay.

Second half of the book: Her struggles at home (okay). Her friendship with the two nurses she served with. Great friends always there for her, but never discussed their service experiences and after effects when they talked or were together - weird, especially since they knew she was struggling. Like wouldn't you tell your BFF "I'm having nightmares too. I duck for cover when I hear a boom too". Support group, party of three!!!????. Then the author did something stupid and ruined the whole thing for me with a beyond fictional trio of a scenario, creating more struggles, and then a stupid ass ending just when she's gotten a handle on her post-war life. It coulda/woulda been a great ending with her new found purpose and the reunion at the unveiling of the Vietnam Memorial in DC. Leave it at "I'm finally functioning and enjoying my surroundings and finally getting the recognition we deserved". But no, BAM, another stupid "twist" (is what I'm assuming the author was going for).

***//end Spoiler Alert***

****SEE ADDITIONAL SUPER SPOILER ALERT****
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Tune out now if you don't want the 
****SUPER SPOILER ALERT****

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Both of the men she fell in love with in Vietnam were presumed dead. One she "saw die" and the other's father was informed he died in service.
KH brought BOTH OF THEM back to life. 😠😡
In real life they would have listed them as MIA. They didn't inform your family you were dead if they didn't have proof. 
I find that insulting to anyone who lost a loved one in service. 

Now - ask me how I really feel...

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