Author: Kristin Hannah
Publication Information: St. Martin's Press. 2024. 480 pages.
ISBN: 1250178630 / 978-1250178633
Rating: ★★★★★
Book Source: I received this book through NetGalley free of cost in exchange for an honest review.
Opening Sentence: "The walled and gated McGrath estate was a world onto itself, protected and private."
Favorite Quote: "We were the last believers, my generation. We trusted what our parents taught us about myth of equality and justice and honor. I wonder if any generation will ever believe again. People will say it was the war that shattered our lives and laid bare the beautiful lie we'd been taught. And they'd be right. And wrong. There was so much more. It's hard to see clearly when the world is angry and divided and you're being lied to."
I love Kristin Hannah's writing for the focus it brings on strong female characters set in a historical context. Many of her books center around World War II. The Four Winds brought us to the depression era. The Great Alone travelled to Alaska. This book brings us to the Vietnam War.
Vietnam. The very word conjures up images of our nation's history, of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, of those who came home only to find that home had changed, of those who still to this day may receive the honor and services they need as veterans of United States Armed Forces.
Until this book, however, I have not seen much of the history of or read any stories of the women who served in Vietnam. According to a note in the book, "According to the Vietnam Women's Memories Foundation statement, approximately 10,000 American military women were stations in Vietnam during the war." However, the history and even the veteran services now do not highlight the women.
This book tells the story of the women through Frankie McGrath's eyes. She volunteers for the Army Nurse Corp. The book follows Frankie through the events that lead her to volunteer, the tours of duty she serves, her return, and the challenges of her life after the war as a veteran. As with other Kristin Hannah books, the one covers a lot of ground, incorporating a multitude of challenges and issued faced by these women - as women, as soldiers, as survivors, and as veterans.
Through Frankie's eyes, we travel the same path:
- "War looked one way for those who saw it from a safe distance. Close up, the view was different."
- "You survived a day at a time, however, you could."
- "Some things don't bear the weight of words."
- "And there it was: remembrance mattered She knew that now; there was no looking away from ware or from the past, no soldiering on through pain.. It started here. Now By speaking up, standing in the sunlight, coming together, demanding honesty and truth. Taking pride. The women had a story to tell, even if the world wasn't ready to hear it, and their story began with three simple words. We were there."
The book is emotional as you might expect. Frankie's voice resonates through the entire story. I find myself looking up the history that authenticates the story told. This book is not a conversation about the right or the wrong of the Vietnam War. It is rather the story of those who served when called upon by their county. "I'm starting to wonder about it myself. But can't they support the warriors and hate the war. Our men are dying every day in service of their country. Doesn't that matter anymore." Frankie is a memorable character telling a memorable story.
To all the warriors... Thank you for your service.
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