The Women by Kristin HannahMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Frances (Frankie) McGrath is a young socialite living on Coronado Island near San Diego. She led a sheltered life of wealth, country clubs, an all-girls Catholic high school and a small nearby college for her nursing degree. The year is 1966 and her older brother is following the family expectations to join the Army and go to Viet Nam. Shortly after his departure, his family receives word that he was killed in action.
Frankie immediately decides to join the Army as a nurse and go to Viet Nam. Her life is changed there in many ways: the horrors of war that she sees, the nursing / medical skills she acquires, and the close friendships she develops. This is not only the story of Frankie's time in Viet Nam, but more importantly her time after returning to her home and family.
She carries a lot of baggage with her when she returns stateside after two tours of duty -- horrible nightmares, inadequate coping skills, bad decisions, PTSD, and more. We share Frankie’s successes, her loves, losses, struggles and finally when she finds herself and can surge ahead in life. This is a tough book to read, but incredibly moving and poignant.
Wow! What an amazing book! The author does a fantastic job at transporting the reader into the 1960s – the music, the description of the clothing, the political unrest and protests, etc. This is definitely going to be one of my favorite books of the year. Kristin Hannah is a relatively new author to me; I've only read The Great Alone but you can be sure that I'll be reading many more of her books. Lots to choose from!
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