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The Women by Kristin Hannah tells the story of Frances McGrath nicknamed “Frankie”. A 20 year old nursing student at the time. She grew up in Coronado Island, Southern California. Her family is conservative and wealthy, who raised her to always do the right thing and she prided herself on that.

After a lavish send-off, her older brother is soon killed in the Viet Nam war and when she hears the women can be heroes too, she decides to enlist and join the war effort in the Army Nurse Corp. she arrives in Viet Nam to the reality of war. Inexperienced as most of those sent to Viet Nam, she is soon overwhelmed by war. She befriends Barb and Ethel and their bond becomes unbreakable.

Upon returning home from the war, the reality of the sentiment against the war hits her hard. Veterans are treated as pariahs and women are dismissed for their efforts.

Most of the second part of the book deals with her recovery into normal life after the war and with a number of twists and how her friendships help them cope.

A beautiful story of a woman finding her own identity whilst dealing with loss and her hopes for peace. A very worthy read.