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4.51 AVERAGE
4.51 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced readers copy in exhange for my honest review!
**Spoilers ahead**
I wanted so much to love this book and was so excited to read it as a nurse and big fan of Kristin Hannah. I will preface and say this is not actually a very happy story. The bulk of the book is about a nurse veteran of the Vietnam War who is deeply impacted by untreated PTSD, and much of the story depicts her suffering once home.
Things I liked: Camaraderie between the nurses felt very real to how your nurse colleagues can sometimes become lifelong friends. Loved the dynamic between Frankie, Ethel, and Barb. I also loved Frankie’s grit and willingness to push herself beyond her comfort zone in her role as a surgical nurse. She built major trust within herself and her skills, and her personal growth and shaping of her identity felt very authentic.
What I did not like: Frankie’s parents’ inability to acknowledge her sacrifice and heroism upon returning home was awful (upsetting because wide refusal from American society to acknowledge both men and women as heroes coming home from Vietnam seems to be how it was in real life). As a result of being silenced and invalidated by her family, she processes her pain and PTSD with drugs and alcohol. She is also gaslit and outright refused care when she shows up at two different hospitals for help. Necessary to the story, but made me mad/heartbroken. Also, some of the technical medical/nursing jargon/happenings wouldn’t fly in reality (several mentions of the OR with multiple patients inside, when real life patient to team ratio is 1:1; drinking alcohol before shift is a hard no, etc.), but it did not entirely derail the reading experience. Questionable ethics (multiple crichothyrotomies performed by nurse Frankie which are not typically within a RN’s scope of practice). Pacing seemed rushed at times (multiple quick in and outs on airplanes/helicopters and Frankie was extremely quick to fall in love several times with very minimal build up).
I was happy with the ending as Frankie moves away from her family and finds a way to help other female veterans as they come home. Her family finally validates her experience at war, but it’s painful how long it takes. Beautiful book, but very heavy emotionally.
**Spoilers ahead**
I wanted so much to love this book and was so excited to read it as a nurse and big fan of Kristin Hannah. I will preface and say this is not actually a very happy story. The bulk of the book is about a nurse veteran of the Vietnam War who is deeply impacted by untreated PTSD, and much of the story depicts her suffering once home.
Things I liked: Camaraderie between the nurses felt very real to how your nurse colleagues can sometimes become lifelong friends. Loved the dynamic between Frankie, Ethel, and Barb. I also loved Frankie’s grit and willingness to push herself beyond her comfort zone in her role as a surgical nurse. She built major trust within herself and her skills, and her personal growth and shaping of her identity felt very authentic.
What I did not like: Frankie’s parents’ inability to acknowledge her sacrifice and heroism upon returning home was awful (upsetting because wide refusal from American society to acknowledge both men and women as heroes coming home from Vietnam seems to be how it was in real life). As a result of being silenced and invalidated by her family, she processes her pain and PTSD with drugs and alcohol. She is also gaslit and outright refused care when she shows up at two different hospitals for help. Necessary to the story, but made me mad/heartbroken. Also, some of the technical medical/nursing jargon/happenings wouldn’t fly in reality (several mentions of the OR with multiple patients inside, when real life patient to team ratio is 1:1; drinking alcohol before shift is a hard no, etc.), but it did not entirely derail the reading experience. Questionable ethics (multiple crichothyrotomies performed by nurse Frankie which are not typically within a RN’s scope of practice). Pacing seemed rushed at times (multiple quick in and outs on airplanes/helicopters and Frankie was extremely quick to fall in love several times with very minimal build up).
I was happy with the ending as Frankie moves away from her family and finds a way to help other female veterans as they come home. Her family finally validates her experience at war, but it’s painful how long it takes. Beautiful book, but very heavy emotionally.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was one of the most powerful and honestly overwhelming novels I have ever had the privilege of reading. The character arc and journey of the main character Frankie was so deeply compelling and heart wrenching, from wartime horrors as a nurse in Vietnam to navigating a politically war-torn world as a post-war a war vet — that no one recognizes or acknowledges — while dealing with PTSD and survivors guilt?? I found myself wanting to pull my hair out at for the lack of appreciation, recognition, and respect for the work of women in the war. I gained a whole new appreciation for not only Veterans and nurses, but for all women who work their asses off to make a difference and make the world a better place.
Additionally, I loved the story of friendship that was told. If the world was filled with trios like Barb, Ethel, and Frankie, I truly think that women could take over the world.
I loved this book and the stories it uncovered. I will cherish the lessons I learned and sing Kristin Hannah’s praises from the rooftops. I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Additionally, I loved the story of friendship that was told. If the world was filled with trios like Barb, Ethel, and Frankie, I truly think that women could take over the world.
I loved this book and the stories it uncovered. I will cherish the lessons I learned and sing Kristin Hannah’s praises from the rooftops. I LOVED THIS BOOK.