The Women by Kristin Hannah | Powerful Historical Fiction Audiobook Review

Lately, I’ve been listening to the audiobook of The Women by Kristin Hannah, and I have to say — what a ride. Not only is it beautifully written, but the narration really brought the story to life. You know when you can’t stop pressing play, even when you should be doing something else? That was me this week.

I’ll admit, before this book, most of what I knew about the Vietnam War came from the TV series MASH*. So much of what Kristin Hannah revealed through her story felt like brand-new territory to me. The level of detail and the depth of research that went into it were astounding — I felt like I was right there, watching events unfold.

What struck me most was how little light has been shone on the contributions of women during times of war. We’ve all heard countless stories of soldiers, generals, and politicians, but the women who served and sacrificed often slip through the cracks of history. Hannah places them firmly in the spotlight — and it’s both compelling and heartbreaking. In the heroine’s case she served as a nurse in the army hospitals in Vietnam and saw such horrors that it was clear, not only the soldiers would have suffered from PTSD.

Listening to The Women also made me think about my own book, Wherever You Will Go. Different time, different war, different women — but that same sense of leaving the comforts of home, stepping into the unknown, and reshaping your life in the process. Whether it’s a nurse boarding a plane for Vietnam or a young bride sailing across the ocean on the Empire Windrush, there’s a shared thread of courage and resilience.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction that grips you from the very start — with unforgettable characters and untold stories — then I highly recommend The Women. And if you’re like me, you might find yourself with a whole new perspective on a part of history you thought you already knew.

Have you read or listened to The Women yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts.