Book Club Guide: The Women by Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah is known for writing powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking books usually with a strong female protagonist—The Women carries on that tradition. It covers topics that aren’t always talked about and not everyone is aware of in ways that are easy to understand and identify with.

It’s the story of Frankie McGrath, a strong young woman who has grown up surrounded by Navy families on Coronado Island in San Diego. She’s on the path to the life her parents have always wanted for her (a respectable—female-oriented—job, a husband, and children) when the Vietnam War hits close to home and Frankie feels the call to help. She becomes a nurse, joins the Army, and ships off to Vietnam…before she’s even 21-years-old. What follows is a harrowing tale of the realities of war—what she sees, hears, and feels over two years in a “conflict” that no one quite understands. Frankie thinks the hardest part of her life is behind her when she returns home, but she isn’t ready for what her parents think, how veterans are treated and the trauma that haunts her every day. It’s a powerful book.

On a personal note, I have a special connection to the story—I actually work for the military and have been around soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, (and now Guardians), my entire life. I’ve heard first-hand stories from friends, coworkers, and boyfriends of war and its aftermath (mostly Iraq and Afghanistan) and sometimes they’re hard to hear and the long-term effects are evident. I’ve also spent significant time working with the Prisoners of War and Missing in Action (POW/MIA) community, including coordinating the annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony several years in a row. And, of course, I have a special affinity for women who defy the odds—and Frankie McGrath is certainly one of those.

Even if you don’t have that kind of connection to the story, any book club will have plenty to discuss about The Women by Kristin Hannah. There are some intense themes through the book that make it an ideal book club selection: war and the military, women’s rights issues, mental health, addiction, grief, relationships (both familial and romantic).

Below are some suggested book club discussion questions for Kristin Hannah’s The Women. I also include some small quotes from the book that could spark discussion, because I thought they were meaningful, but I’m sure others in your group highlighted some quotes, too. And, of course, I’ve added some bonus ideas to make your book club meeting about The Women extra special and unique.

Suggested discussion questions for The Women by Kristin Hannah (**note: some questions contain spoilers):

1. What did you know about the military and/or the Vietnam War before reading this book? Did this book change what you thought? If you were alive during that time, what do you remember?
2. How would things have been different if the events in the book had taken place now rather than 50 years ago? Would veterans be treated the same? Would the expectations of women been the same? Would there have been better support for mental health issues? What issues from the book are still prevalent?
3. What do you think of the book’s title: The Women? Why did society (including veterans themselves) not want to acknowledge the role women played in the war?
4. Throughout the story, Frankie talks about being a “good girl.” What did that mean to her at the beginning? How did that change through her experiences in Vietnam, experiencing love, and returning home? If she hadn’t been a “good girl” with Jamie at the beginning, would their love be the same?
5. Discuss Frankie’s relationships to her best friends (Ethel and Barb) and how they continued through the years. Each woman had their own experiences in Vietnam and returning home—how were they different and how were they similar?
6. Frankie’s relationship with her parents goes through a few evolutions throughout the book. She talks about them coming from the “quieter generation”—what did she learn about them throughout the book? What did you think of her mother? Her father?
7. Do you think Rye loved Frankie? Did you believe him or did you have suspicions? Do you think there is such a thing as one true love?
8. Frankie had several tragic events and was betrayed more than once—which do you think was the hardest for her to deal with?
9. What did you think of the ending and Jamie returning? Why do you think he didn’t reach out when he first returned home? How would Frankie’s life have been different if they had reconnected earlier? Or if she had known he was still alive?
10. In the author’s note, Kristin Hannah mentions that she originally had planned on using fictional names and locations for the story…why do you think it was so important for the military members to have the real names used? She also mentions that although she’d had this idea for awhile, it took her a few years to write it, because she didn’t feel ready—why do you think that is?

Short quotes from the book The Women:

Kristin Hannah can capture some meaningful ideas with just a few words—below are some of my favorites that could also help your book club have a meaningful discussion about The Women:

• Women can be heroes.
• You’ve got heart. Skills I can teach.
• I just want someone to care that I went.
• In this crazy chaotic world run by men, you could count on the women.
• Thank God for girlfriends.

Did your group highlight or note any quotes from The Women?

Unique ideas for making your book club meeting about Kristin Hannah’s The Women special:

1. Several songs are mentioned throughout the book and have special meaning for Frankie. Thankfully, the ladies over at Book Girl’s Guide made a Spotify playlist for The Women. (Bonus discussion opportunity: talk about specific songs that have special meaning in your life and what happens when you hear them…)
2. There are still several families waiting for information on what has happened to their Missing in Action loved ones. Buy a POW/MIA bracelet for each member of your group or give each member of your group a bio to read of a former Prisoner of War or currently Missing in Action.
3. Purchase MRE’s (“Meals Read to Eat”—easily transportable meals that military members carry with them) for the group and have a taste test. (Trust me—certain ones are more popular than others and there are several “recipes” out there of how to doctor some of them up to make them more palatable.)
4. Gin seems to be Frankie’s drink of choice, so have a gin and tonic bar with a selection of gins, flavored tonics, and garnishes. Or, serve some fun mocktails to acknowledge the effect alcohol had on her life.
5. Create a mini heroes wall in the room where you meet: have everyone bring a photo of someone they consider a hero/someone they know who served in the military, hang a POW/MIA flag, get some of the annual POW/MIA posters. Bonus: set up a Missing Man table and discuss its significance.

And, let me know what you thought of the book and how your book club discussion went! I’d love to hear from you.

**I was given a version of this book for free in exchange for an honest book review–thank you to @netgalley and @Macmillan.Audio.

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