The Women by Kristin Hannah follows Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young nurse who serves during the American conflict in Vietnam in the late 1960s. Raised in privilege, 20-year-old Frankie is eager to find purpose and quickly grows from a naïve woman to a skilled Operating Room (OR) nurse. However, the horrors of war make acclimation to civilian life challenging. Through Frankie, Hannah hopes to elucidate the lesser-known women of the Vietnam War. This book includes depictions of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pregnancy loss, child loss, and substance misuse.

In The Women, Kristin Hannah delivers a poignant and immersive narrative highlighting the strength of women during the Vietnam War. Critics praise her rich character development and historical accuracy, though some cite a predictable plot and occasional melodrama. Despite these flaws, the emotional depth and vivid storytelling make it a compelling read.

Fans of poignant, character-driven narratives with strong female leads and historical settings will cherish The Women by Kristin Hannah. Similar to readers who enjoyed The Nightingale by Hannah or The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, this novel appeals to those captivated by women's untold stories and emotional resilience in challenging times.

Emotional / Bittersweet / Contemplative / Nostalgic / Inspirational

**Frances "Frankie" McGrath**  
Frankie is the 20-year-old protagonist of *The Women*, who bonds with her brother Finley by enlisting as an army nurse in Vietnam, seeking purpose in the chaos of war and later grappling with the trauma upon her return.

**Rye Walsh**  
Rye is Finley's friend and an important figure in Frankie’s life, pushing her toward heroism. They have a romantic connection in Vietnam, but complications arise as she discovers his deceptive nature.

**Ethel and Barbara (Barb)**  
Ethel and Barb are fellow nurses and close friends of Frankie in Vietnam. They support each other through the war and beyond, coping with trauma and seeking new purposes in their civilian lives.

**Henry Acevedo**  
Henry is a psychiatrist who enters Frankie’s life post-war, helping her navigate her PTSD and aiding in her recovery, respecting her boundaries and the complexities of her emotional state.

Kristin Hannah

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Women reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Women | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Women and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Women Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Women Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-10

The Women Part 1, Chapters 1-10 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 11-19

The Women Part 1, Chapters 11-19 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapter 20-Part 2, Chapter 27

The Women Part 1, Chapter 20-Part 2, Chapter 27 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 28-35

The Women Part 2, Chapters 28-35 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Women Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Women Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Women Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Women Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Women Essay Topics

Book Club Questions

The Women Book Club Questions

The Women: A Novel

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Women?

Reading Age

Book Details