The Women

The Women by Kristin Hannah is a powerful historical fiction novel that centers on the experiences of women who served as nurses during the Vietnam War—a largely overlooked part of history. The story follows Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young woman from a conservative family who defies expectations by enlisting in the Army Nurse Corps. Through her journey from the battlefield to the aftermath of war back home, the novel explores themes of sacrifice, trauma, resilience, and sisterhood. Frankie not only confronts the horrors of war but also battles the stigma and erasure faced by female veterans when she returns to a society that refuses to acknowledge their service. With emotional depth and vivid historical detail, The Women sheds light on the courage and contributions of the women who served and were too often forgotten.