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The Women

By: Kristin Hannah
Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Kristin Hannah
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Publisher's summary

Long-listed, Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year, 2024

"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
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Interview: Kristin Hannah’s "The Women" spotlights our complicated memory of the Vietnam War.

'Frankie is probably my favorite character I've ever written...'
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  • The Women
  • 'Frankie is probably my favorite character I've ever written...'

Editorial Review

Cue the ugly crying
Kristin Hannah has the unique ability to take a well-known historical event and intimately weave it with such a deeply human story that it turns everything you thought you knew on its head. In The Women, Hannah pays tribute to the nurses who served in the Vietnam War, using her heroine Frankie McGrath as a vessel. Frankie begins the story as a naive young woman, full of misplaced optimism, but quickly becomes the sort of steady and focused nurse you’d want in your corner. I love Frankie. I feel like I know Frankie. And as I’ve come to expect with Kristin Hannah, each time Frankie’s heart got broken—whether it was in war, in love, or in homecoming—mine did as well. The incomparable Julia Whelan performs this sweeping and poignant novel that has settled in my chest and refuses to leave, even though it’s been weeks now since I heard the final words. — Audible Editor, Katie O.

What listeners say about The Women

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  • Overall
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Great story

I’m a huge fan of Kristin Hannah and Julia Whelan. I never write reviews but this was a phenomenal book. I’ve been waiting for this book to come out for months. It’s an awesome story about kick-ass women and the hardship of the Vietnam War - before, during, after. Listening to the post-war experiences in this story was also incredible.

I love Kristin Hannah’s historical fiction. She is consistently great. And Julia Whelan could narrate the dictionary and I’d listen. I anticipate I’ll be re-listening to this book because it’s such a powerful, engaging story.

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67 people found this helpful

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A history and characters that keep the reader interested and caring

A well written history of the role of Army nurses particular both sacrifes during the Vietnam War and their troubles upon return to an ungrateful nation. A fantastic read

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35 people found this helpful

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Best story line I have read

If I could give it a 10 star I would . She never fails and this book will stay with me forever

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31 people found this helpful

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Get the tissues out

This novel was written in a way that the reader is transported back to that time in history. I was born in 1970 and my oldest brother went to Vietnam. He came back home the day I was born and always mentioned that he had to walk 2 days after coming back because no one would give him a ride. I never really understood what that meant until now. But the women….they were forgotten in this war. This is a story that needed to be written. Great work!

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28 people found this helpful

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Amazing

I was young during the war & truly didn’t understand. This book was a real eye opener & made me appreciate the men & women who sacrificed and serviced our country. Once I started listening to this book I couldn’t leave it alone! Thanks for a truly great read!

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25 people found this helpful

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Her time in the war.

My husband was there in 68-69 and it helped me to understand what he went through and dealing with ptsd. Thank you so much!

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24 people found this helpful

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Raw & poignant

What a read. I was a child in the ‘60’s & this book brought out so many emotions. Thank you for writing it!

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21 people found this helpful

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Stories like these should be mandatory in high school literature and history.

What a great story enjoyed all of it. To all who served in the Vietnam war thank you for your sacrifice both here and abroad.

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14 people found this helpful

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I love Kristen Hannah’s storytelling!!!

I was a teenager/young adult during this time. I was so touched by what I felt was the accuracy of the story. I laughed and cried and loved!!! Thank you, Kristin!!!

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13 people found this helpful

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The reality of PTSD and how to overcome it come it.

Every moment was engaging. So much history. So much reality about women and how strong we are.

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11 people found this helpful