One for the Books: Women can be heroes

I have added a new novel to my all-time favorite reads. “The Women” by Kristin Hannah is, simply, dazzling. This is one of the best reading experiences I’ve ever had.

It’s the 1960s. Frankie lives with her affluent family in California. “Teacher. Nurse. Secretary. These were acceptable futures for a girl like her.” Frankie has picked nursing, but it’s only until she marries. “Frankie had been taught to believe that her job was to be a good housewife, to raise well-mannered children.” But when a family friend tells her “Women can be heroes,” the idea inspires her to join the army, thinking she’ll be able to be near her brother, who’s serving in Vietnam. The recruiter assures her that she’ll be in a nice, safe hospital, so won’t that be a fun adventure? Boy, has she got some fast growing-up to do.