englishmajoratheart 's review for:

The Women by Kristin Hannah

4.25

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This book surprised me with the sheer range of topics it covers regarding the Vietnam War yet it never once felt rushed or incomplete. I found the first half relatively light but once the protagonist returns home halfway through the story becomes deeply emotional. What I appreciated most was how nothing was sugarcoated especially when it came to portraying the actions of the United States. The only thing I would note is that while the ending provided a sense of resolution I wished for just a bit more not because the plot felt incomplete, but because it didn’t fully ease all the emotions I was left with after experiencing everything Frankie went through but maybe that was the point.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Suicide attempt, War

Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Police brutality, Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Abortion