Review: The Women by Kristin Hannah

There are certain books that grip you from the very first page, pulling you into a world so vivid, so emotionally intense, that you feel as though you’ve lived it yourself. The Women by Kristin Hannah is one such book. This powerful novel takes readers deep into the often-overlooked experience of women in the Vietnam War, a topic that, until now, has not received the attention it deserves in historical fiction. Through her meticulous research and richly drawn characters, Hannah gives voice to the women whose stories have too long gone untold. For me, The Women was a thoroughly five-star read, and anything less would be absurd.

A Story that Honors Women in War

At the heart of The Women is Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young woman who, like many of her generation, is swept up in the turmoil of the 1960s. But instead of following the well-worn path expected of her—getting married and starting a family—Frankie chooses a different, much more dangerous course: she enlists in the Army Nurse Corps and heads to Vietnam. From the moment Frankie sets foot in the war zone, the novel plunges the reader into the chaos, trauma, and intense camaraderie of the Vietnam War.

Kristin Hannah does an incredible job of capturing the atmosphere of the time. You feel the tension, fear, and exhaustion that Frankie and her fellow nurses endure, and you come to understand just how harrowing their experience was. But more than just capturing the action, Hannah takes us inside the emotional landscape of these women. Through characters like Frankie, Barb, and Ethel, the novel shows us how deeply the war impacted those who served and how it forever changed their lives.

What makes The Women stand out is how Hannah does justice to the women of Vietnam. These were not women sitting on the sidelines—they were in the thick of it, saving lives, and enduring unimaginable hardships. Hannah shines a light on their bravery, their trauma, and their resilience. In the author’s note, Hannah shares how long she’s wanted to write this book and how much care she took to ensure the historical accuracy of the story. She had multiple Vietnam veterans read the book to fact-check and give their feedback, ensuring that the portrayal of events and experiences was as authentic as possible. This dedication to truth-telling adds an extra layer of depth and respect to the novel.

Characters That Stick with You

One of the greatest strengths of The Women is its characters. I was thoroughly invested in the lives of Frankie, Barb, and Ethel, three very different women who come together in the harshest of circumstances. Each woman brings her own unique perspective and experience to the story, and their relationships are as complex as they are heartwarming.

• Frankie is the emotional core of the novel. We see her grow from a naive, eager young nurse into a battle-hardened veteran struggling to cope with the horrors she’s witnessed. Her journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and I found myself rooting for her through every trial and triumph. The trauma she carries after the war, her fight to reclaim her life in a world that doesn’t understand what she’s been through, and her determination to speak the truth about the Vietnam experience make her one of Hannah’s most compelling characters to date.
• Barb is tough, pragmatic, and unflinchingly loyal. She’s the kind of friend everyone needs in a crisis—strong, dependable, and unafraid to tell you when you’re wrong. I loved how Barb’s fierce exterior slowly peeled away, revealing a deep vulnerability and pain that she tries so hard to keep hidden. Her friendship with Frankie is one of the emotional anchors of the book, providing a glimpse into the unbreakable bonds forged in the most extreme conditions.
• Ethel is a quieter, more introspective character, but no less important. She brings a sense of calm and compassion to the group, but beneath her serene exterior lies a well of sorrow and unresolved trauma. Ethel’s struggle to reconcile her experiences in Vietnam with her life back home mirrors the inner battles faced by so many veterans, and her story is handled with great sensitivity.

These characters are not just vehicles for the plot—they are fully realized individuals whose lives and emotions leap off the page. I was deeply invested in their fates, and by the end of the novel, I felt as though I had lived alongside them, experiencing their joys, heartbreaks, and triumphs.

A Powerful Exploration of Trauma and Healing

One of the most poignant aspects of The Women is its exploration of trauma and the long road to healing. While the novel covers the experiences of these women during the war, it also delves deeply into their lives after they return home. For many, coming home was its own kind of battle. Frankie, in particular, struggles to reintegrate into a society that has no understanding of what she went through. Her trauma is raw, unrelenting, and often misunderstood by those around her.

Hannah doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and the alienation felt by so many veterans, particularly female veterans who were often overlooked or dismissed. The novel portrays the difficult path to healing with honesty and empathy, showing that recovery is not linear and that the scars of war—both physical and emotional—linger long after the fighting stops.

Close but Not Quite The Nightingale

While The Women is an extraordinary book in its own right, I couldn’t help but compare it to The Nightingale, which remains one of my all-time favorite novels by Kristin Hannah. The Nightingale set such a high bar for historical fiction that it’s nearly impossible for any book to surpass it. That said, The Women comes pretty darn close. The emotional weight, the meticulous research, and the vivid, unforgettable characters all echo the strengths of The Nightingale, but I found myself just slightly less blown away this time around. Still, this is more a testament to how incredible The Nightingale was than a criticism of The Women.

Final Thoughts: A Must-Read for Fans of Historical Fiction

Kristin Hannah has once again proven why she is a master of historical fiction with The Women. This novel is a tribute to the bravery and resilience of the women who served in Vietnam, a story that needed to be told and one that is long overdue. With deeply compelling characters, a meticulously researched backdrop, and an emotional depth that will leave you thinking long after you turn the last page, The Women is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, war stories, and powerful narratives about female strength.

If you loved The Nightingale, you’ll find much to admire in The Women. It may not have quite reached the same heights for me, but it was close enough to earn a solid five stars. Anything less would be an injustice to the story, the characters, and the real-life women whose experiences inspired this incredible book.