A Page Before Bedtime

The Women by Kristin Hannah

2026-07-19T19:38:00.000-05:00

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 464 pages
Published: February 2024

The Women by Kristin Hannah is a work of historical fiction that follows the coming-of-age of protagonist Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young woman who naively volunteers to serve as a nurse in the Vietnam war. Inspired by her father’s wall of military heroes and encouraged by a childhood friend who insists that women can be heroes too, Frankie signs up shortly after her older brother deploys. Just before she leaves, she learns he has been killed in combat — an emotional blow that shapes everything that follows.

Against her parents’ wishes and their shared fear of losing their only surviving child, Frankie arrives in Vietnam and is immediately thrust into the brutal reality of war. She forms deep bonds, loses people she cares about, and witnesses unimaginable tragedy. When she returns home, she finds a country in turmoil. Society is severely fractured by protests against the war, and most of the public is unwilling to acknowledge the service of those who fought. The remaining two-thirds of the novel follow Frankie as she struggles to heal, rebuild her identity, and navigate a world that no longer makes sense to her.

I found the historical elements of this book incredibly compelling. While I wasn’t alive during this era, I grew up learning about it. I remember the late Senator John McCain sharing his story as a POW during his presidential campaign. That context helped ground my reading. What challenged me, however, was Frankie’s naivety. It was difficult to imagine someone like her volunteering for a war without doing any research, and her sense of helplessness upon returning home was frustrating at times. But I also recognize that I read this in 2026, through a modern lens where women (at least for now) have far more independence and agency than they did in the late 60s and 70s. My expectations were shaped by my own era, not hers.

It was also jarring to read about soldiers returning home without support or celebration. Coming from a military family with service in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, my lived experience is that service members are honored for their bravery. That disconnect is a limitation of me as the reader; not the book.

Now, the part I cannot forgive, and hence the 4-star rating, was the romance elements. It felt so unbelievable that a woman who survived the death and devastation of Vietnam would remain so emotionally stuck on a lost love. I wanted Frankie to be stronger, and I felt the romantic thread was unnecessarily drawn out. Still, once I pushed through that section, the ending delivered a satisfying and meaningful conclusion.

Recommendation: Hannah is a gifted writer with an extraordinary ability to transport readers to the time periods she brings to life. Her research permeates every page, and this novel is clearly a labor of love. In her endnotes, she shares that she first wanted to write this book in 1997, and honestly, I’m glad she waited because I might have missed it otherwise. The Women is Kristin Hannah at her best, and I recommend picking up a copy. In a moment when we find ourselves in another global conflict no one asked for, this novel is a powerful reminder that if we don’t learn from history, we are destined to repeat it.

Other Books by Kristin Hannah I’ve Reviewed

The Four Winds

The Nightingale

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite

2026-06-27T18:39:00.000-05:00

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 384 pages
Published: November 2025

I picked up a copy of Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite in preparation for my June discussion with This Browne Girl Reads, and I was genuinely excited to dive in. I enjoyed My Sister the Serial Killer, so I was eager to see what Braithwaite would do with a multi-generational narrative rooted in superstition, grief, and the weight of family legacy.

The novel follows the women of the Falodun family across generations. Set in Lagos, Nigeria, the story opens with death of Monife. On the same day as her funeral, her cousin, Ebun, who she grew up with, gives birth to a daughter, Eniiyi. Eniiyi is the spitting image of Monife, and many believe her to be the reincarnation of her second cousin. As she grows up, Eniiyi spends most of her life trying to outrun Monife’s shadow and the expectations that come with it.

And if that’s not enough for a young woman to carry, layered on top is the family’s long-held curse: “No man will call your house home. And if they try, they will not have peace.” This superstition has shaped, and devastated, the lives of Falodun women for generations, and Eniiyi becomes determined to break it.

The novel moves between timelines and perspectives, offering chapters from Eniiy’s present-day life, Monife’s backstory, and Ebun’s experiences as both cousin and mother. Braitwaite builds these threads with care, creating a rich tapestry of love, loss, longing, and the complicated ways women inherit both trauma and strength from those who came before them.

This novel is rich in content and has much literary depth. With many secondary characters and intertwined histories, the family tree at the front of the book is a welcomed guide. I really enjoyed the journey this novel took me on from its action-packed opening to its satisfying conclusion. It made me think about a lot of things:

Who decides what stories we inherit?
How much of our lives are shaped by our parents and ancestors?
And what does it take to break free and create our own path?

It sparked a lively and meaningful discussion during book club, which is always the sign of a great read.

Recommendation: This was a wonderful summer read, and I would highly recommend it to someone who enjoys literary fiction and wants a story rooted in a fresh cultural perspective. Braithwaite delivers a unique, thought-provoking that lingers long after the last page.

James by Percival Everett

2026-05-30T19:24:00.000-05:00

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pages: 320 pages
Published: March 2024

Every so often, a book is released and suddenly, it’s everywhere—the talk of the literary world, the winner of major awards, the darling of critics and book clubs alike. That was James by Percival Everett in 2024. I bought my copy in 2025 and finally read it this year. Sorry, not sorry, but I don’t get the hype. Everett is often praised as an exceptional and prolific writer, and while that may be true, this novel simply didn’t work for me.

Marketed as a retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain through the eyes of Jim, who we learn prefers James, the concept immediately intrigued me. I expected a story that offered fuller representation and deeper humanity than Twain’s original. In preparation I reread Huckleberry Finn, which was a challenge due to the heavy dialect spoken by every character. So, when I began James, I appreciated the clear, more accessible dialogue.

But the story itself is not a retelling in the traditional sense. It felt as though Everett borrowed the characters then placed them in an entirely different plot and setting. The connection to Twain’s novel was tenuous at best, and that disconnect made it difficult for me to settle into the narrative.

However, my biggest issue was the extreme brutality depicted throughout the book. While I understand the importance of acknowledging the horrors of enslavement, the graphic nature of these scenes felt excessive, at times exploitative, and not really necessary to move the plot forward. I was disappointed that a novel written by a person of color leaned so heavily into violence without adding meaningful depth to the story. I also found the major plot twist toward the end, and James actions after revealing it, to be a bit ridiculous and a bit of a stereotypical trope. Finally, every female character seemed to exist solely as a plot device, never fully developed or given emotional complexity.

Many people say this book is humorous. I did not find it funny. I found it horrifying and disappointing, despite the glowing reviews and widespread acclaim.

Recommendation: I often say here, not every book is for every one, and this one was definitely not for me. The concept is brilliant, but the execution just didn’t do it for me. Perhaps, I will try another of Everett’s books in the future.