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4.52 AVERAGE
4.52 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Best book of 2025 for me so far. “Women can be heroes”… if you’re on the fence just read it. Do it now.
emotional
informative
sad
medium-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
This book takes you on a emotional journey that pulls you deep into the unrecognized stories of women who served in Vietnam. Hannah’s pacing is measured, the historical detail vivid, and the emotional stakes unrelenting. The heart of the novel lies in its characters — complex, flawed, and very much human. The bonds Frankie, Ethel, and Barb share feels as essential and real as the air they breathe.
While there was a few plot beats that leaned into predictability, the depth of the characters and the raw portrayal of trauma, resilience, and friendship make this a powerful read. Hannah reminds us that war stories aren’t just about battles — they’re about the people who survive them, and even more so, how they survived after them.
If you're looking for a book with lots of historical context and heart, you'll love this book!
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read on a recommendation from my sister-in-law. She nailed this right on the head!
I was swept away in The Women. This is my first time reading Kristin Hannah (and one of my first forays into historical fiction - especially wartime focused historical fiction). I loved the voice and tone of this book so much. It is impeccably researched and incredibly human. The descriptions are vivid and gruesome. Reading this feels like watching a movie play out in your mind. Even as someone without a lot of context or knowledge of the Vietnam war, I was still able to picture and understand everything presented in The Women in full color detail.
The Women handles heavy topics and processes them as anyone would - through small moments adding up across a lifetime. There is so much heartbreak, pain, and glimmers of hope are few and far between. I think the victory in this book and its believability is its refusal to sugarcoat anything that was experienced in Vietnam by the women and men who served there.
Overall, this is a great read for both seasoned historical fiction lovers and newbies alike!
I was swept away in The Women. This is my first time reading Kristin Hannah (and one of my first forays into historical fiction - especially wartime focused historical fiction). I loved the voice and tone of this book so much. It is impeccably researched and incredibly human. The descriptions are vivid and gruesome. Reading this feels like watching a movie play out in your mind. Even as someone without a lot of context or knowledge of the Vietnam war, I was still able to picture and understand everything presented in The Women in full color detail.
The Women handles heavy topics and processes them as anyone would - through small moments adding up across a lifetime. There is so much heartbreak, pain, and glimmers of hope are few and far between. I think the victory in this book and its believability is its refusal to sugarcoat anything that was experienced in Vietnam by the women and men who served there.
Overall, this is a great read for both seasoned historical fiction lovers and newbies alike!