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(as of Oct 28, 2025 02:57:03 UTC – Details)
A 2025 Audie Award winner for Best Fiction Narrator!
“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
“A moving, skillfully narrated story about women’s friendships and the ongoing physical and mental consequences of war.”—Library Journal
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.
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.
Customers say
Customers find this novel thought-provoking and well-written, with one review noting how the writing draws readers into the story. Moreover, the book is praised for its emotional depth, with customers describing it as heart-wrenching and deeply moving, while also appreciating its thorough research and informative content. Additionally, customers praise its readability, with many mentioning they read it in one sitting, and find it captivating from the first page to the end.
Kelley Thomason –
A Great Read!!
As a child and teen growing up during the Vietnam war, this book really spoke to me. It was so real and I cried during various parts. The characters are well written and the plot draws you in. I read this in two days. I couldn’t put it down as my husband can attest. Even if you know nothing of the war in Vietnam, it’s worth learning about these women and their fearless service to our country. I’ll continue to think about this book for a long time.
Joel Burcat –
War, Love, Family, Friendship—A Story Well Told
War, Love, Family, Friendship—A Story Well ToldThe Women, by Kristin Hannah focuses on Frankie McGrath, an idealistic, but naïve, young (21 years old when we meet her) nurse who decides to enlist in the US Army so that she can serve as a nurse in Vietnam at the height of the Vietnam war. She has absolutely no idea what she’s getting into and her basic training doesn’t come close to preparing her for what she is about to encounter.Her time in Vietnam is harrowing. Hannah gives us a deep dive into the geography, climate, wartime conditions, abject fear, and gut-wrenching conditions of the hospitals. Let’s just say, it is all awful. At the same time, she makes friends with nurses and others with whom she forms close bonds. In addition and not surprisingly, several men focus intently on her and her relationships with them are as life altering as her time in Vietnam. She was as prepared to deal with the men as she was prepared to deal with the war.Upon her return to the US, she is surprised at the hostility shown toward her and other Vietnam veterans. Also, she is greatly surprised at the utter indifference of her family and high school and country club friends to her time in Vietnam.She suffers tremendously from PTSD. I won’t go into the details, but she hits rock bottom, more than once.I don’t say this lightly, this is an excellent piece of historical fiction. Hannah compels you to turn the page and the emotional wreckage, and twists and turns are plentiful and believable. I’ve read other war fiction and non-fiction (and written some) but Hannah‘s fictional accounts of the field hospitals are informative, stomach-churning and believable.Hannah has a particular sensitivity toward Frankie and the changes wrought upon her as a result of her experiences. So many things occur in this book, it would be unfair for me to describe them as that would give away the plentiful and great plot twists. Everything about Frankie’s life is turned on its head and all we want to do is root for her.This book is an excellent war story, coming-of-age story, romance, daughter-parents tale, buddy story, and character and plot driven novel. I loved it. Highly recommended.
Lisa R –
Incredibly Moving – keep Kleenex nearby!
I would give this book more stars if I could. I don’t normally write reviews but I’ve read a ton of books this year and this is by far my favorite. I didn’t want to read it based on the war aspect but I’m beyond glad that I did. I was sucked in immediately and only put it down to go to sleep.It is beautiful and tragic and hopeful. It’s an extremely poignant and emotional story of the heroic women who were forgotten during such a controversial war. And even though this is a story from another time I found it incredibly relatable. The main character’s struggles, while specific, are still universal in how people manage or not with PTSD. And the struggle of women to be recognized is still relevant today. I was incredible moved by this story and went through several tissues wiping up my tears. Beyond that the writing was intense but not dense. The story moved along at a clip which felt right for this kind of story.This is my first Kristin Hannah book but it will not be my last.
Mary –
4 stars
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into The Women by Kristin Hannah—this isn’t my usual genre—but I’m really glad I read it. It was emotional, powerful, and full of heavy topics that left an impact.The story follows Frankie, a young nurse who joins the Army during the Vietnam War. Watching her grow, struggle, and navigate both the war and its aftermath was heartbreaking but eye-opening. I didn’t cry like some readers mentioned, but I think that’s because there was so much going on, it felt hard to fully process one thing before another emotional hit came.What stood out the most to me was how much I learned—especially about the role of women during the war and how badly they were treated when they returned home. It made me want to learn more about that time period, and I genuinely hope this story gets adapted into a movie someday. I think it would be an incredibly important and moving film.The writing was beautiful, and the friendships in this book were a bright spot. While the pacing felt overwhelming at times, this was still a powerful and worthwhile read. Definitely one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
Sage –
Compelling, Must Read
A story that needed telling. Wonderful book for my book group. The novel motivated me to read much more about the historical events that happened during this time frame. While the main character is a woman, there is much that will appeal to both female and male readers. Kristin Hannah has become one of my favorite authors.
Ken Malovos –
Outstanding!
To say that Kristin Hannah is an accomplished writer of prose is to completely understate her abilities. Each sentence, paragraph and chapter is carefully crafted. It is impossible not to read each word and let it resonate with the whole. She takes these prodigious writing skills and marries them to exhaustive research. And then to write a compelling narrative about an important topic…few can accomplish this task.
Amazon Customer –
A MUST READ, BEAUTIFUL BOOK.
OH MY GOD! WHAT A WONDERFUL , POIGNANT BOOK. TOLD WITH SO MUCH REALISM AND TRUTH. LONG OVERDUE TO HELP THOSE WHO REEPED THE BENEFITS OF LIFE AT HOME DURING THIS TIME., UNDERSTAND WHAT IT REALLY WAS. I CRIED TEARS , A “MUST READ”.
Carole Macdonald –
An incredible story, brilliantly told. Kristin tells this story as though actually there and makes such a moving, sad, emotional impact, the telling of a story i was little aware of, even though a child in those years. This was a great bookclub choice, with many facets to discuss; love, infidelity, mortality, morality, addiction, parental disappointment, expectation and joy and happiness in the face of the everyday horrors of reality. You will fall in and out of love with these characters and understand every perspective.
Helena Gurjão Pinheiro do Val –
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.
Ana Sofia Godoy Alonso –
Wow, me encantó. Lo leí rapidísimo. La historia de las mujeres en la guerra de Vietnam es super inspiradora y cruda. Este libro despierta muchas emociones.
Brittany Mason –
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A Riveting Tribute to Courage and SisterhoodThe Women by Kristin Hannah is an extraordinary novel that immerses readers in the untold stories of women who served in the Vietnam War. Through the eyes of Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young nurse from a privileged background, we witness her transformation as she leaves behind her sheltered life to serve in a war-torn country. The narrative delves deep into her experiences, capturing the chaos and camaraderie of the battlefield, as well as the profound challenges faced upon returning home.Hannah masterfully portrays the complexities of war, not just in combat but in the emotional and psychological toll it takes on those who serve. The bond between Frankie and her fellow nurses, Barb and Ethel, is heartwarming and authentic, showcasing the strength found in sisterhood amidst adversity. The novel also addresses the often-overlooked contributions of women in the military, shedding light on their sacrifices and the struggles they faced both during and after the war.The writing is evocative, drawing readers into the turbulent era with vivid descriptions and compelling characters. Hannah’s meticulous research and attention to detail bring authenticity to the story, making it both informative and deeply moving. The Women is a testament to resilience, friendship, and the enduring spirit of those who serve. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction that honors the unsung heroes of our past.
tom –
The cause driving Kristin’s books is compelling and sadly still rife: the relegation of women’s visibility and contribution to society to the back of our conscious world. Her stories are beautifully told. And I mean really beautifully told. An unusual and credible realism also underpins her prose. This is gender-free story-telling of the highest quality. Her characterisation is devoid of stereotyping, sensitive and totally believable. Amazing !!! And what i discovered about military nurses in the Vietnam war…. Also read her book on the French resistance, which had me crying. Kristin: Thank you. You are a genius ♥️. Tom (a youthful 70 year old !)