The Women
-
- $19.99
-
- $19.99
Publisher Description
"Kristin Hannah’s potent storytelling skills are brilliantly served by narrator Julia Whelan, whose limber, low-pitched voice moves nimbly from person to person, capturing personality and mood, her empathy palpable." —The Washington Post
From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah's The Women—at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.
Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets—and becomes one of—the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.
But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.
The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Kristin Hannah is the queen of the impeccably researched and heart-wrenching historical drama. Nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath is living a safe, sheltered life until a random comment at a party sends her down a new path: “Women can be heroes.” Hoping to join her brother—a naval officer serving in Vietnam—Frankie enlists in the army and is shipped into the heart of the conflict, where she discovers the cost of war firsthand and forms strong bonds with her fellow soldiers as they face unimaginable challenges. Hannah’s enthralling tale explores themes of duty and friendship. Whether she’s describing a nerve-racking helicopter ride or a chaotic peace rally, her flair for detail makes every moment pop. Expert narrator Julia Whelan’s nuanced reading brings to life Frankie’s transition from naive society girl to hardened veteran. The Women is an unforgettable story about what it means to serve.
Customer Reviews
An Enlightening View of the women and Men in Viet Nan
I loved this book. It shed light on the role of women in treating traumatic injuries during the war, as well as the psychological impact of enduring war on the frontlines, for both women and men.
It also revealed the lack of VA services for women veterans after the war, as well as the unwelcoming return for veterans.
I listened to it with my husband, a Viet Nam Vet, and we both found it very moving.
Unbelievably beautiful
I was so sad when the books was over. What an absolutely beautiful story, and so well told! Probably my favorite book of all time
Wow
This book is my third by Kristen Hannah and I am blown away. I cannot recommend this book more. The Women is a beautifully written book that opened me to a part of history I’m not as familiar with. I appreciated the insight to that time period and better understand that generation.