The Buddha Reads Book Club recently gathered to discuss The Women by Kristin Hannah. Attendees included Danny, Joan, Farron, Gary, and Laurie. The novel follows Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young woman who volunteers as a nurse in the Vietnam War. Raised in a privileged and sheltered environment, Frankie is driven by a sense of duty, but her idealism is soon challenged by the harsh realities of war. The book explores themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the overlooked contributions of women in wartime.
The group unanimously enjoyed the novel and would recommend it. Bob, who was unable to attend, shared his thoughts via email, praising the book’s accuracy, compelling story, and portrayal of women’s struggles. Joan and Farron echoed these sentiments, emphasizing how powerfully the book captured the experiences of nurses and doctors during the war.
Gary reflected on how the Vietnam War shaped public trust in the government. While he was initially skeptical about the romance elements, he appreciated the book’s historical accuracy and the depiction of how Vietnam veterans—especially women—were treated. Farron, born after the war, found the book eye-opening and was inspired to research the conflict further. Laurie found the romance predictable and was frustrated by some of Frankie’s decisions.
The club’s next meeting will be on April 6th to discuss The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. The group is especially looking forward to hearing Bob’s insights on The Women and his perspective on Vietnam, which will kick off the next discussion.