Many, many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest historical fiction novel by Kristin Hannah, perfectly narrated by Julia Whelan - 5 stars!
It's 1965 in sunny California, and Frances "Frankie" was raised by conservative parents to always do the right thing. Military service was always important to their family too, with her dad having a "hero's wall" in their home. Her brother was off to war and an off-hand comment by one of his friends that women could be heroes too spurs Frankie to enlist as an army nurse. In the blink of an eye, she's in Vietnam and totally out of her depth. Her two nurse friends, Barb and Ethel, keep each other going through the daily trauma. We follow Frankie throughout the war and on her return home, where suddenly she is anything but a hero.
I could not stop listening to this audiobook once I started and was totally engrossed in Frankie's story from start to finish. This is a visceral, emotional, thought-provoking, beautifully written and researched story. It's certainly a testament to all the women who served in the Vietnam War who were never acknowledged or supported. It's still so sad to think of all the veterans returning home from war who were ridiculed and hated, forced to battle their demons on their own. I loved the special bonds forged between the women and how they were always there for each other. For those of us growing up in those times (my dad was in Vietnam and I still have my POW bracelet), the book is full of nostalgia and transports you back to those turbulent times. I can't stop thinking about this book - Kristin Hannah has again created a masterpiece. Highly recommended - will be on every top 2024 book list for sure.
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