The Women: A Novel by T.C. Boyle

Characters draw you in from the first! The descriptions of the war, Vietnam, the wounded are all compelling and surround you with the intensity of battle.

Well written and very well done! Bravo!

The story reveals the many sacrifices, feats of bravery and courage, love, caring, and commitment to the combat soldiers the women who served in the Vietnam war had. Hannah’s story on the topic is a compelling read providing content that allows the reader to visualize and feel the experiences of her characters. The history of women who served in the military during war times should be taught in our schools and is must reading for all who want a better understanding of the atrocities of war and the lasting impact it has on those who serve.

I have read several Kristen Hannah books in the past and have enjoyed them all. Yet, when friends in my social groups began to rave about Kristen’s latest book, The Women, I hesitated to read it. I was afraid it would trigger anxiety and questions about my self-worth.

I used to be an Army nurse, received my education through Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing, and am considered a Vietnam Era veteran as I joined the ANC in 1974. However, I never served “in-country” and often felt unworthy to be recognized as I did not have combat nursing experience. I am extremely grateful for the experience I received both as an Army student nurse and my 13 years of ANC nursing experience. Without the Army, I could never afford college and, therefore, would not have become a nurse. In Delano Hall, where our nursing classes were held, there is a room affectionately known as the “dead” room. On the walls were portraits of nurses “Killed in Action” or KIA. I use to stare at those pictures and both dred failing my classes as rumor had it you would be deployed to a war zone, at the same time I bemoaned the end of the war as I would never win the respect a combat nurse commanded. In my first assignment post graduation from nursing school, I used to wonder nightly if Maryland made a mistake granting me a license! I was sure it was obvious to everyone on my unit that I didn’t have a clue as to how to do my job! Especially as I was put in charge of nursing supervision, my third night on duty! I was a nervous wreck until my third year of post-graduate nursing!

I finally decided to read The Women during a Kindle Reading challenge. The challenge to read a 2024 Amazon Editor’s Choice Best Novel of 2024 was made simpler as I already had The Women by Kristin Hannah in my library.

I knew I was going to love this book when I read the statement made at Frankie’s brother’s going away party – “Women can be heroes, too.” This matter of fact acknowledgment that women could be honored as much as men was the impetuous to Frankie volunteering to join the ANC. Frankie was gobsmacked by this easy acceptance of women’s worth. Immediately, I remember the recruiter who introduced me to the WRAIN program that changed the trajectory of my life back in my freshman high school days in 1970. Until that time, I never dreamed I could receive a four year college education and get my nursing license. Women in my family never went away to college. It was just too expensive. I could relate to Frankie’s astonishment that a male acquaintance would openly declare his belief in women’s equality. I was smiling through my tears as I read that scene.

Kristen’s story was made even more intense and powerful as she vividly described Frankie’s arrival in Veitnam during a red alert. Later, I was surprised to find the words blurring as I read about operating on the mud floor of a tent under the operating table while holding a flashlight in her mouth; as bombs exploded around her! The blurred vision was not a spot on my glasses but tears that were pouring from me in response to Kristen Hannah’s moving word choice. Despite being an avid and fast reader who can usually finish one book a day, The Women was so emotionally intense I had to take frequent breaks, sometimes as long as 24 hours , before I was calm enough to read it the book again. Kristen perfectly portrayed the problems female veterans have getting adequate health care open return home. I began to scream in anger when Frankie was told that there were no women serving in Veitnam! The ignorance that women veterans were forced to deal with was appalling. However, I was pleased at how detailed and factual Kristen’s account was of Frankie’s encounters with VA. Kristen’s research was impeccable.

The characters in The Women were well-developed and relatable. The commonalities and differences between Frankie and her two besties, economically, beliefs, and even romances helped to keep the story moving. I especially loved the sisterhood that developed because of shared experiences of the war. The lifelong friendships I developed during my years in the ANC are some of my fondest memories.

I am really glad I finally read this book. It brought back memories both good and bad of my time in service. It helped me to accurately voice some of my buried issues from that time, and I believe I am healthier since reading this magnificently written story! Thank you, Kristen. It was an intense journey, but I believe at least for myself, I came out better mentally and emotionally for having read The Women.

I admit I’m not an emotional reader. It takes a lot me make me shed tears while reading, but the ending of this book was surprisinly emotional for me. I love reading historical novels, but I knew little about the Vietnam War and its outcomes to the soldiers and nurses who ventured in there in service. A really good book that like many other that I’ve been reading, show the forgotten role of women in wars that marked a whole generation.

“The Women” is the story of a young idealistic woman who enlists to serve as a nurse in Vietnam during the war. She has chosen to do so because she wishes to follow her older, beloved brother who is also going to Vietnam. The family applauds the patriotism of the brother, but when she announces she is also going, her parents, particularly her father, castigates her choice. Women do not go to war. They stay home and take care of the family. When her brother almost immediately dies in the war, the family is even more adamant that she not go, but she is resolved to help the soldiers.

The book describes not only the horror of the half-blown away bodies that she must try to save, but also the sense of satisfaction when she is able to help some of these soldiers.

When she returns home, she is crippled by nightmares and loud noises and intrusive memories. The way in which society, her family and the VA treated her only added to her emotionally fractured state. The strangers whom she told that she was a vet, treated her, like they treated almost all Vietnam vets, with contempt – spitting on her and calling her names such as baby killer. Her parents refused to tell their friends she had gone to war, instead they told them she was in Florence studying. When she sought counselling at the VA, she was told nurses did not qualify for help because they were not in combat.

She spirals into the depths of despair but eventually with the help of two other nurses who served with her in Vietnam, she gains control of her life.

I rated this 4 stars and not 5 because even though it is a very well written book that addresses important issues, the poor treatment of women and Vietnam vets, it isn’t what I call a work of art. It is like a very good photograph, not a painting that expresses the artist deep understanding of what it is to be human.