Historical Fiction Feature: The Women by Kristin Hannah
These past couple years, everyone has been reading Kristin Hannah - The Nightingale, The Four Winds, and more. While she is no newcomer to the bestseller list, her most recent novel, The Women, stood out amongst the rest. Shining a light on the often overlooked women of the Vietnam war and the difficult years the country faced afterward, Hannah invites readers to slip back in time to see a different side of a controversial war.
Enjoy this strong women fiction and family life novel if you haven't already! Or did you love it and want more to read? What have recommendations!
The Women by Kristin Hannah
A #1 bestseller on The New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times!
About The Book:
Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances "Frankie" McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets--and becomes one of--the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.
But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.
The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm's way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.
Reading Guide for The Women by Kristin Hannah.
The Perfect Pairings!
Cocktail Pairing: Old Fashion
Travel back to the 1960’s with these classic cocktails. The Old-fashioned is all about balance, bourbon, and bitters, while the Gimlet mocktail marries the flavors of cucumber and lime.
| 2 tsp | Water |
| 1 tsp | Granulated Suger |
| 3 dashes | Angostura Bitters |
| Ice | |
| 2 oz. | Bourbon or Rye Whiskey |
| 1 | Orange Peel and Cherry |
Stir 2 teaspoons water, 1 teaspoon demerara sugar, and 3 dashes Angostura bitters together in a mixing glass or cocktail shaker until the sugar is nearly dissolved. Fill a rocks or old-fashioned glass with ice. Fill the mixing glass or cocktail shaker with ice, add 2 ounces bourbon, and stir until well-chilled. Pour the cocktail through a strainer into the glass. Twist the orange peel directly over the cocktail’s surface, then garnish with the peel. Garnish with 1 to 2 Luxardo cherries if using.
Mocktail Pairing: Cucumber Gimlet Mocktail
| 5 1-in. Chunks | English Cucumber |
| 1 oz. | Lime Juice |
| 1 tsp. | Agave, Honey or Simple Syrup |
| 1.5 oz. | Club Soda |
| Ice | |
| Garnish |
Muddle cucumber chunks in a cocktail shaker until completely smashed. Add lime juice and agave, fill shake with ice and shake vigorously until chilled. Strain drink into a rocks glass filled with ice, top with club soda and give it a quick stir. Garnish with skewered cucumber ribbon.
Vietnam: Morning to Midnight: A Cookbook by Jerry Mai
by Jerry Mai
From dawn to dusk, enjoy Vietnamese cuisine at its best.
Join chef and author Jerry Mai as she shares the iconic dishes and street-food eats that are enjoyed throughout Vietnam, from morning to midnight.
This is how Vietnam eats, and you'll find it all here.
Husbands & Lovers
by Beatriz Williams
Continuing to make this the best reading guide for The Women, we also have what to read next! Originally published in 1956, this classic novel tells the story of an english journalist living in pre-war vietnam and his friendship with an American. When it was published in America, the war had just started and tensions were already rising in the country…
Two women--separated by decades and continents, and united by an exotic family heirloom--reclaim secrets and lost loves in this sweeping novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Wives.
The League of Wives: The Untold Story of the Women Who Took on the U.S. Government to Bring Their Husbands Home
by Heath Hardage Lee
After reading about war, division, and heroism, it’s time for something with a bit of intrigue, mystery, and romance. Follow two women, one in 2022 and one in 1951, as they find love and uncover familial secrets that will connect them forever.
As you turn the final page of The Women by Kristin Hannah, take a moment to let the story settle—its heartbreak, resilience, and the powerful journey of sisterhood. Whether you’re sipping a bold, era-inspired cocktail, trying your hand at a comforting recipe, or diving into another gripping read, these pairings create an immersive experience beyond the book.
We hope you enjoyed the Reading Guide for The Women! Share your thoughts, photos, and favorite moments in the comments or on social media using #PageAndPairing. Until next time, happy reading—and happy pairing! Cheers!