A review by jessailene
The Women by Kristin Hannah

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book deserves more than five stars. After initially getting the book, I set it aside for a few days, unsure of what to expect. (I initially picked up the book because my sister read it and highly recommended it along with my best friend who hadn’t actually read the book yet, but has praised a lot of Kristin Hannah’s works.) However, once I started reading, I was hooked within 30 minutes, fully immersed and committed. It’s been over 10 years since I’ve read a book as quickly as I did The Women, and that speaks volumes about how captivating this story is.

Growing up post-Vietnam War, I didn’t have a full understanding of the complexities surrounding that time. This book was an eye-opener, shedding light on the emotional and psychological scars left behind. Many people, especially those who have relatives that served in the war, seldom speak of it, and this story helped me understand why.

There are so many layers to The Women. The fictional characters are brilliantly crafted, and the storyline is deeply immersive. I’ve never read a book that so vividly captures the true chaos of war while showing the impossible task of trying to maintain control in a medical setting under fire. The balance between romance, sorrow, excitement, stress, and sadness is masterfully done. It evokes such strong emotions—especially if you’re an empathetic person, you’ll feel like you’ve been through the emotional wringer.

If you’re looking for a powerful, multi-layered narrative that not only entertains but also educates and challenges your perspective, The Women is a must-read.


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