The title of this blog post kind of says it all! When a close friend asked me about this book, I responded, "it's dismal." And I wasn't lying. This book is a hard read. You think it's reached rock bottom for the main character, but you only find out that beneath rock bottom is a void through which the poor main character is free falling.
The Women is a story about Frankie McGrath. A young and eager nurse who thinks she is about to make her family proud and be reunited with her beloved brother by signing up to serve in Vietnam. She first encounters that she can't just go and join the Marine Corps nurses; they don't take the super green. But guess who does? The Army that's who! So, with stars in her eyes, Frankie signs up to serve as an Army nurse in a brutal war that the world is being lied to about.
As much as this story was depressing and as much as I had to, at times, force myself to just sit down and read it, it was extremely well written and well researched. I love historical fiction because I always learn about a time I knew very little about. This book is FULL of the stuff you won't learn in history class! And hats off to ANYONE who can successfully write historical fiction novels. The research that would be required alone makes me feel immobile with fear.
What's so amazing about this book is that you actually feel like you are growing up right alongside Frankie. She learns about herself, she finds out how strong and capable she is, and she defies all expectations put on her by her conservative and protective parents. She just has to go through hell and back to do it! Highly recommend this tale of tragedy, redemption, and the strength and tenacity of the human spirit.
#thewomen #historicalfiction #icantwriteit! #lovedit #butitwasastruggle
