The Women by Kristin Hannah is a historical fiction novel that delves into the experiences of Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young nurse serving in the Vietnam War. The narrative explores her journey from the battlefields of Vietnam to the challenges of reintegration into a divided America upon her return.
Plot: Frankie McGrath, a 20-year-old nursing student from a prestigious family, decides to enlist in the Army Nurse Corps following her brother Finley’s death in Vietnam. Leaving behind her sheltered life in California, she is thrust into the harrowing realities of war, working under perilous conditions and forming deep bonds with fellow medical personnel. During her service, she develops a close relationship with a doctor named Jamie and falls in love with a navy pilot, Rye Walsh. Tragedy strikes when both men are reported dead.
Upon returning home, Frankie faces a nation hostile to veterans and dismissive of women’s contributions to the war. She struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and feels alienated from her family and society. With support from fellow nurses Barb and Ethel, she begins to rebuild her life, working as a surgical nurse and attempting to reconcile with her parents. However, her world is upended when she discovers that Rye is alive but married with children, leading her into a downward spiral. After a near-fatal overdose, Frankie receives treatment for PTSD and eventually establishes a refuge for women veterans in Montana called “The Last Best Place.” The story culminates with her attending the unveiling of the Vietnam War Memorial in 1982, where she reunites with Jamie, who survived his injuries.
Themes:
Women’s Roles in War: Highlighting the often-overlooked contributions and sacrifices of female veterans during the Vietnam War.
Post-War Reintegration: Depicting the challenges veterans face when returning to a society that may not recognize or value their service.
Mental Health: Addressing the impact of war on mental health, particularly PTSD, and the journey toward healing.
Friendship and Support: Emphasizing the importance of camaraderie and support systems among those who have shared traumatic experiences.
Personal Reflection: There was a lot of hype at my place of employment about this one. I honestly think that Kristin Hannah’s books are depressing. I read The Four Winds, and it took me a few weeks to get out of the funk. But as with everything else in life, there are times you give in to the hype. And so I embarked on reading The Women by Kristin Hannah. I felt that the main character, in certain aspects, is not really likable. Yes, she starts off as a young girl becoming a woman in the most horrific circumstances, but because of her, I could not empathize.
Also, while we saw Frankie’s struggles, the women she had a friendship with in the book, who also went through the experience, seemed almost fine. It would have been nice to see their struggles. Also, this book really seemed a bit less original to me because it immediately conjured up a show on ABC called China Beach. I seem to be dating myself in all the posts, but hey, if we are going to get to know each other, I am going to embrace it.
