Fiction writer Kristen Hannah has somehow transitioned into the writer that everyone either loves or loves to hate. Her name frequently gets bandied about in social media book groups and I’m always shocked at how combative her haters are and how overzealous her supporters can be.
Personally, I like her more recent works but that’s not a hill I’ll die on. Meanwhile, I despise Stephen King but would never dream of going to a discussion about how great he is to rain on someone’s parade.
That’s probably bordering on unAmerican these days but, there, I said it. Discouraging others from embracing what they like isn’t my thing. I clearly don’t know how the internet works.
This has been on my mind since I finished reading Hannah’s new historic fiction book The Women earlier this month.
It’s about a young nurse who enlists in the Army to serve in Vietnam. She serves two tours before coming home a changed person with PTSD. I won’t tell you much because I don’t want to spoil the story for you but I will tell you some things that are general facts about Vietnam.
Her time in country was brutal. The hours and the devastation of endless waves of soldiers and civilians ripped limb from limb are described in this book. The horrifying and utter loss of it all was experienced by soldiers and the doctors, nurses and camp support staff there to help them.
Then, these veterans returned home to an ungrateful nation that was fighting its own war in the media and in protests across the country. They were spat upon, called unspeakable names and denied basic services. The federal government didn’t even consider these women nurses who served bravely in dangerous conditions to be veterans.
Yet, we don’t talk about these things enough or very well. We have generations of people living in this country today who know none of this and I have witnessed plenty of them lately showing their ignorance in online conversations about this book.
They don’t believe a combat nurse would be relegated to changing bedpans and taking temperatures in hospitals back home. They don’t know that women of that era couldn’t get a bank loan without a signature from her husband or dad. They don’t understand any of it or how our activities at the ballot box today can either advance women’s rights or turn back the clock decades at a time.
They don’t understand how those women were treated or how they suffered because their own government didn’t recognize their service.
I was in a Barnes and Noble recently and found just three books about Vietnam on the shelves. There was another one about President Johnson’s mucking up of the war but it really was about the man and his strategies rather than the people fighting under his leadership. Three books.
The section on feminism and women’s issues was pretty scrawny too.
It was downright sad.
Kristen Hannah has written some good books and some not-so-good books throughout her career. In this book, I found a couple of mistakes that should be attributed to her editors. The book stretches on a little too long. It’s like she got stuck in a loop and got herself lost on the way to the end. The main character isn’t the most likable.
But I’m happy to recommend this book and am glad that it exists. After all, with her enormous bestselling reputation, she has a platform to reach a breathtaking amount of people.
This story needs told and it needs heard. We still have plenty of Vietnam veterans living in this country today who deserve our sincere thanks and apologies and who might find some small comfort in knowing that history will judge them differently than their peers did.
When you read this book, check out the list of recommended reading in the back. Not a fan of fiction writing? Ken Burns did a fantastic documentary about Vietnam you might want to check out.
Yes, there are more and probably better ways to learn about Vietnam. This is one avenue and a darn good one if you want to learn the human side of war. The Women is available for purchase in hardback and audiobook right now. Your local library probably has a copy too. Give it a chance!
Brandi, your reflection on Kristen Hannah’s The Women and the polarized reactions it provokes is as insightful as it is poignant. I appreciate how you highlight the novel’s power to illuminate the overlooked sacrifices of women in Vietnam, offering a much-needed perspective on their bravery and the nation’s subsequent neglect. Your critique not only underscores the importance of acknowledging these untold stories but also serves as a reminder of literature’s role in fostering empathy and understanding. It’s a testament to the idea that while not every book will resonate with everyone, the stories that challenge us to see beyond our immediate perceptions are invaluable. Cheers, Mike
It is rare that I feel drawn to write about a book here. I hope that my comments will encourage others to read this book or to at least think about how far we have come in the last fifty years. This is such an important piece of our history that I find myself rooting for a deal to translate the book to the big screen and reach an even larger audience.
Thanks for your words, Mike!
Thanks for a thoughtful reflection on “The Women.” I am a fan of Kristen Hannah’s books. I just finished reading “The Nightingale.” It was very sad and hard to read – which sounds similar to “The Women.” Yet, I learned much I didn’t know. Even though it was hard to read, I felt an obligation to read it. If others had to live it, I feel the least I should do is read and know about it. I also recently read “The Great Alone” which was also great – with sad parts. Now, I have to say, after reading “The Nightingale” I chose to read something much lighter. Thanks for your post. It’s so important untold stories are told. I am sure I would learn much from “The Women.”
Oh, Betty! You hit on two of my favorite books of hers! Her more recent books are my favorite. If you haven’t already done so, look for “The Winter Garden” and for “The Four Winds.” I think you will like them too. They are heavy so you’ll need to have something lighter lined up as a palette cleanser but you won’t regret either one.
I will look for them! Thanks!
Absolutely! The Winter Garden and the Nightingale are probably my two favorites of hers.
I’m not familiar with this author. Maybe I’ll recommend her for one of my book clubs. Which would you say is best?
It’s sad how the Vietnam vets were treated in general. I don’t know much, if anything, about the combat nurses. I certainly do know that women still had trouble being treated fairly by the banking industry into the 70s and beyond. We’re still struggling for equality in this country and one political party is determined to reverse as much progress as possible. Sad.
It’s terrifying how much ground has been lost in the last several years. I notice that a lot of the “old boy’s clubs” gained a lot of nerve during Trump’s tenure that I wouldn’t have thought possible in this day and age. Take nothing for granted.
The Nightingale is probably her most popular book and has been well received by a lot of book clubs.
Thanks for the book review I may check out her work.
I hope you do. Enjoy!!
Great review! The Winter Garden is one of my most favorite books! It inspired me to create my own white flower garden! Im not a huge historical fiction fan but, i will definitely be picking this up!
Thank you! I hope you like it. The Winter Garden really is a beautiful book!