Bookreporter Talks To... Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah was our guest for a very special “Bookreporter Talks To” program. She was in conversation with Bookreporter readers and Carol Fitzgerald about her #1 bestseller, THE WOMEN, which is a Bookreporter Bets On pick. A lot of ground was covered, including Kristin’s inspiration for writing the book, why she felt that now was the right time to tell this story, and how she researched the time period.

There was much discussion about the divisiveness of our times now compared to the ’60s. How the Vietnam vets were treated when they returned home was another big focus. And the last question spurred the audience to think about what we can do to recognize and support veterans, especially female ones. This was a no-spoilers event, so if you have not read THE WOMEN, you still can enjoy this interview.

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Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald

Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

[Amy-gjmv]

As a retired RN I loved this book! Maybe more people will visit the memorial for the nurses in DC. When I visited it I was sad as so few people stopped to look at it. I worked 3 pandemics AIDS, H1N1 and I came back to help with Covid but I cannot imagine being a nurse in a war. Loved the book! Thank you!

[mcdonaldjaxP]

Love this so much! It's wonderful to hear your thought processes and research, Kristin, and you're so easy to "talk" with. This book is amazing. I stayed up way past bedtime for 2-3 nights so I could finish it. And then, I wanted to start it all over again! Thank you, and thank you, Carol!

[susanjacobsen]

Absolutely loved this and can't wait to read the book! Thank you to you and Kristin for this wonderful program about The Women!

[CarolQ_]

What a great interview! Looking forward to reading this book and learning more.

[elainedurman]

"We just didn't talk about it." You nailed it, Carol. I'm looking forward to reading this book. I was a teenager during Viet Nam. At 46, I earned my degree with a Women's Studies minor. Love the insights of all women.

[janorluske]

Thank you for writing the Women. It should be required reading for everyone that had a Vietnam veteran in their family. I wish you had written it 30 years ago it's given me a better understanding of what my husband went thru. So much of this book has made it clear why he never became the man he was meant to be. He served from 67 to 68 This book has helped me fall back in love with him. Unfortunately he passed away from the affects of Agent Orange 4 years ago.
Thank you so much ❤️ 07/24

[BookLady]

She is a fantastic writer! My book club is reading this now. What a story and a real eye opener! Our members were all teenagers at that time.

[ViewsalemhomesNow]

My favorite book. Loved this interview. Thank you! Great interviewing questions!

[proshw]

My husband was a psychiatrist in the Army during the Vietnam War. He treated vets returning from Nam. The government had a policy that if the psychiatric symptoms began during the person's first year of service, it was determined "line of duty no", denying access to VA benefits - an arbitrary, unfair policy.

[mvianna]

Just finished reading another Hannah book. This book kept me riveted. I want to learn more about the Vietnam War. Thank you for keeping us educated on topics that were not transparent to the public.

[fobrien]

As a nurse that graduated in 1969 from a school in Virginia. We students were recruited in the last two years of school and my brothers both took different tours in Vietnam. I felt like Frankie that I should go and help the injured. I feel I could have been very good in that situation because I’m calm in a crisis and in emergencies and my school had well prepared me to take charge of any nursing unit. People I knew did know that women were over there and were not ashamed of the veterans. Reading the book I could feel Frankie’s emotions and I would have been disappointed in how the service men and women were treated on return just like her. I always regretted not going and getting married instead but after reading I’m glad I didn’t make that choice because I would have probably had depression and anger too and a whole different life. Thanks for this read that I could really relate to. Both my brothers made it back home and both were spit at and terrible things shouted at them when they stepped off the plane. Both were different people when they got back. Their physical and mental health has been greatly affected from the experience and agent Orange.

[maryflaherty]

Nurse, graduate of 1956. Want to read this. Just started reading some of your books. Just love them.

[maryjudkins]

I loved this book, One of my favorite TV programs of all time was China Beach I wonder if she ever watched it and what she thought about it

[marienoellekluitenberg]

Tonight we will discuss this book with our bookclub in the Netherlands and I will show this interview to the girls. I will make Vietnam food. I love the book, thanks

[mikellclark-webb]

I think that when I learned more about women in Vietnam was from watching the amazing tv drama series, China Beach. It had a gut wrenching impact on me. I was a kid during the war but I was devastated once my grandparents told me what “casualties” were. I was mortified. I wish China Beach could be streamed, would love to watch it again after reading The Women. I’ve heard it can’t because of all the great music in it, not being able to be approved. 💔 These women should be honored more. I love this novel, I’m sure I’ll read it again. Thank you so much for this story!

[mvjh]

46:15 Considering music rights, it may be difficult negotiating songs in the film version. Warner is film and record label, so choices.

[mvjh]

Our book club is going to share The Women. We remembered TV show, China Beach about nurses at a Vietnam evacuation hospital. Dana Delaney starred, it aired April 1988-July 1991 for four seasons.