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A review by katiepope86
The Women by Kristin Hannah
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
I've never rated a Kristin Hannah book below four stars, and I devour her books. I think The Women is her best one yet. Frankie was a main character I haven't read before - a nurse serving in Vietnam in a period when women's military service was not yet recognized or even understood. I empathize with all the veterans, male or female, but found the female perspective important.
It's risky, I think, for an author to take on such a perspective without having personal experience, which is why I appreciate Kristin Hannah's description of her research. She mentions having veterans, both male and female, read her work and give suggestions. I cannot imagine how long it took her to research this time period and its effects on so many. In particular, I was heartbroken by the treatment of veterans, especially the women who were essentially unrecognized after returning home from war.
The interactions of Frankie, her parents, her friends, and her love interests were all fascinating and well developed. I didn't want more (or less) from any character and the pacing was perfect. I definitely cried when a fellow vet made extended eye contact with Frankie, shook her hand, and said "thank you" at the memorial. She deserved that for so, so long. How simple, yet how powerful a gesture.
Her journey of mental health before, during, and after the war was so moving. I yearned for her well being, her success. My heart ached as she opened her heart only to be so deeply betrayed.
Her parents. Awful. While they attempted to repair their relationship, it was a shadow of what it could have been.
Some reviewers say The Women was too traumatic to believe, but... what do we know?
I highly recommend this book.
It's risky, I think, for an author to take on such a perspective without having personal experience, which is why I appreciate Kristin Hannah's description of her research. She mentions having veterans, both male and female, read her work and give suggestions. I cannot imagine how long it took her to research this time period and its effects on so many. In particular, I was heartbroken by the treatment of veterans, especially the women who were essentially unrecognized after returning home from war.
The interactions of Frankie, her parents, her friends, and her love interests were all fascinating and well developed. I didn't want more (or less) from any character and the pacing was perfect.
Her journey of mental health before, during, and after the war was so moving. I yearned for her well being, her success. My heart ached as she opened her heart only to be so deeply betrayed.
Her parents. Awful. While they attempted to repair their relationship, it was a shadow of what it could have been.
Some reviewers say The Women was too traumatic to believe, but... what do we know?
I highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Fire/Fire injury