A review by paperbackportals
The Women by Kristin Hannah

challenging informative inspiring tense 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

Review: The Women by Kristin Hannah

Heart wrenching and immersive. Kristin Hannah’s newest novel, The Women, is pulling back the curtain and giving the women that were in the Vietnam War a voice. 

Ever since I picked up The Nightingale, I have been a huge fan of Kristin Hannah’s historical fiction. As a long time WWII historical fiction reader, The Nightingale introduced me to her beautiful writing, and then took me on a journey into 1970s Alaska, The Great Depression, and other time periods. 

Her carefully crafted stories, immersive narratives, and complex yet relatable characters drew me into these time periods and their fierce female protagonists, and The Women is her newest achievement. It is a story not only of women who participated in the Vietnam War, but, through the perspective of Francis “Frankie” McGrath, Hannah also reveals the depth and breadth of emotion through service, return, and the too slow system of recognizing the effect of the war on those who served.  She also describes and develops the deep camaraderie between those who serve together. 

This story was a deeply moving experience that was further enhanced by the talented narration of Julia Whelan, who captured the beauty, the heartache, and terror with her amazing voice.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own. 

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