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The Women cover art

The Women

Written by: Kristin Hannah
Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Kristin Hannah
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Publisher's Summary

"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.

©2024 Kristin Hannah (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

What the critics say

"Hannah again shines her light on overlooked women in history"—People Magazine (Book of the Week)

"Hannah is in top form here... Hannah’s real superpower is her ability to hook you along from catastrophe to catastrophe, sometimes peering between your fingers, because you simply cannot give up on her characters. She gathers women into the (Vietnam) experience with moving conviction."—The New York Times

The Women is historical fiction at its very best. So moving, so wrenching, and yet, in the end, uplifting. Brava! I loved The Nightingale and The Four Winds, but The Women is my favorite.”—Nicholas D. Kristof, Pulitzer Prize-winning coauthor of Half the Sky

What listeners say about The Women

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Couldn’t stop listening

Such a great book. I could not stop listening to the audible version excellent character development, great history that I was unaware of. Loved it

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The history of the Vietnam War

Fantastic book that helped me to understand the sacrifices made by the men and women of the Vietnam war.

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6 stars!

Kristin Hannah does it again. By far, one of the best historical fiction books to date. A gifted story writer, that has you immersed page to page. I will read this one again.

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Required Reading

This is a story that must be heard - told very well.
Hannah is, once again, a fabulous storyteller and writer. And she has, once again, chosen to tell a story that needs to be heard. It's an important story, and I just can't say enough about what a joy it is to read/listen to her work. She creates robust, rich characters with inner and outter lives that are relevant, unique, and yet common and relatable. Her painting the picture of the era is beautiful. She has you completely immersed in the 60/ 70s.
Whelan delivers another strong performance.
I loved this book.

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Great story

It’s a good read. A little bit trite in the second half. Fascinating subject matter.

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Thought provoking, inspiring, and educational

I know very little about the Vietnam war, but I am now inspired to learn more. The part of the book that took place in Nam was exciting, and then as we got into Frankie’s life back in the world and her healing journey, it was hard to read at times because just felt so real… all of the injustices for the women vets was so incredibly infuriating.  There is so much substance to this book and my review is not doing it justice, but it is 100% worth reading.

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Warning: will break your heart

The beauty, tragedy, bravery and hope of this story broke my heart and compelled me to hear more. While movies and stories exist in a woman’s voice for other wars, this was the first I had read that shared experiences of the Vietnam war and the painful return home in her voice. An amazingly different and necessary perspective. Beautifully written and also beautifully read, I would highly recommend to anyone- just make sure you have a box of tissues nearby.

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Stunning sweeping novel of true hero’s

A stunning book telling a story that should have been told years ago. Thank you for your service for to amazing strong women. This was a completely unexpected story that should be a must for every person out there

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loved loved, loved.

as in any war women are not recognized for their part in the time. excellent history excellent research.

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I was born in 1960.I remember the news casts , I what I remember most, is how mother cried each time she listened to our news.

I found at times the story was long winded.. but it all came together.

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