Historical Fiction · Free kit
The Women
In 1965, Frances 'Frankie' McGrath is a twenty-year-old nursing student from wealthy Coronado, California, raised to be a good girl in a world that tells her women belong at home. When her brother Finley dies in Vietnam, Frankie makes an impulsive decision that will change her life: she joins the Army Nurse Corps and ships out to a war zone. In Vietnam, she discovers her calling, her strength, and friendships that will last a lifetime—but coming home proves far more difficult than she imagined. Facing a country that dismisses her service, nightmares she can't escape, and trauma no one will acknowledge, Frankie must fight for the recognition she and her fellow women veterans deserve. A searing portrait of women at war and the long journey home.
“Women can be heroes, too. They'd told her that, and she'd believed it. She'd gone to war to prove it. But no one wanted to hear her story.”
Complete free book club kit
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Plan your meeting
BookClubee take
Vibe check
Our editorial snapshot of how this book tends to land at club night — not a crowd average.
Craft
- Overall5
- Plot5
- Characters5
- World building5
- Ending4
How it feels
- Spice2
- Tears5
- Surprises4
- Humor1
- Comfort2
What’s in this kit
Everything below is free — open a section, use it at your meeting, or print what you need. No account required.
- Discussion Questions20 book-specific questions labeled warm-up, debate, and deep dive.
- Icebreakers15 fast warm-ups about the reader — not the plot.
- CharactersProfiles, dynamics map, and superlative awards.
- Trivia20 interactive questions from easy to hard.
- Would You Rather25 impossible choices inspired by the book.
- BingoPrintable book-club bingo for reading and live discussion.
- This or That40 rapid-fire choices plus a 60-second speed round.
- Speed DebatesPick a side and defend it against the clock.
- Hosting GuideShopping list, timeline, surprise touch, and wrap-up.
- PrintablesStickers, quote cards, invites, and review sheets.
How to run your meeting
1. Warm up
Start with icebreakers or a quick trivia round.
2. Discuss
Use the labeled discussion questions — warm-up to deep dive.
3. Play & wrap
Would You Rather, bingo, or a speed debate — then rate the book.
Frequently asked questions
Is this The Women book club kit free?+
Yes. Everything on this page is free — discussion questions, games, trivia, and hosting tips. No account required.
Does the discussion guide spoil the book?+
Absolutely. The discussion questions, trivia, character profiles, and debates include major spoilers—especially about Finley's death, Jamie's survival, Rye's betrayal, Frankie's overdose, and the ending. Finish The Women before diving into those sections. Icebreakers work spoiler-free.
Is The Women based on a true story?+
No, but Kristin Hannah extensively researched the experiences of real women who served as Army nurses in Vietnam. The 36th and 71st Evacuation Hospitals were real, and many of Frankie's experiences reflect documented accounts from actual nurses. The novel honors their forgotten service.
What's in the Premium Kit?+
The Premium Kit on Etsy is the full printable pack: discussion guide, character cards, trivia, bingo, games, hosting checklist, and review sheets — ready to print for your meeting.
How long should our The Women book club meeting run?+
Plan 90 minutes: 10 minutes of icebreakers, 50 minutes of discussion (this book generates intense conversation about war, trauma, and recognition), 20 minutes of games, and a wrap-up. The Hosting Guide includes a detailed timeline.
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