The Women: A Novel Summary
Hannah, Kristin

The Women: A Novel Overview

The Women tells the story of Army nurses who served during the Vietnam War. It was written by Kristin Hannah and was published in 2024. It is told through the perspective of Frankie McGrath as she serves two tours in Vietnam and then must come home to the contempt of a country that does not value and sometimes even acknowledge her service. The story revolves around themes such as the damage that can come from unacknowledged trauma, the strength and permanence of wartime friendships, the fact that trauma comes in different forms, the idea that generational differences can lead to grave misunderstandings, and the strength of family bonds. The novel is primarily set in Vietnam and California during the years of the Vietnam War through the early 1980s.