In Vietnam and in the USA in late 1960s and beyond
In vivid details this drama brings to life aspects rarely discussed of the Vietnam War: The experiences of those brave women who joined the Army Nurse Corps and serve their tours of duty in Vietnam, in the public eyes they were never there and their service to the nation never recognised.
After her brother’s death, Frankie McGrath enlists as an Army nurse and sets off for Vietnam and this turn of events was just the beginning of a roller coaster ride. The first part of the book is set in gore-drenched hospital wards, terrible housing conditions and boozy officer’s clubs. Frankie fast turns into a crack of a surgical nurse and was highly regarded. Inevitable a lone woman among thousands of men Frankie started a platonic romance with a married man but it was not to be and all ended when his helicopter was shut down and he returned in a body bag. Soon her passion brings her into a wild affair with her brother’s best friend. In the background is a war raging and men returning to camp mangled or dying. In the second part Frankie is home where the population is rioting and war vets are spit and yield at. USA is against the war and wants its men back...forget about the women they were never there. Home is not fun, her father is ashamed of her service, her mother is a pill- popping individual and Frankie’s passion brings various love interests.....But most of all Frankie will discover the true value of female friendship and the heartbreak that love can cause....
The is a masterfully constructed story that will trigger memories of the time and place in all its sadness....what were the Americans doing in Vietnam, why were they treated badly on their return and why insist women were never there. Finally in March 1982 the Vietnam Veterans Memorial honored the service members of the US armed forces.
This novel hooked my attention from start to finish. It is well said and the events vividly described. I loved it...
Thank you St- Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this ARC
After her brother’s death, Frankie McGrath enlists as an Army nurse and sets off for Vietnam and this turn of events was just the beginning of a roller coaster ride. The first part of the book is set in gore-drenched hospital wards, terrible housing conditions and boozy officer’s clubs. Frankie fast turns into a crack of a surgical nurse and was highly regarded. Inevitable a lone woman among thousands of men Frankie started a platonic romance with a married man but it was not to be and all ended when his helicopter was shut down and he returned in a body bag. Soon her passion brings her into a wild affair with her brother’s best friend. In the background is a war raging and men returning to camp mangled or dying. In the second part Frankie is home where the population is rioting and war vets are spit and yield at. USA is against the war and wants its men back...forget about the women they were never there. Home is not fun, her father is ashamed of her service, her mother is a pill- popping individual and Frankie’s passion brings various love interests.....But most of all Frankie will discover the true value of female friendship and the heartbreak that love can cause....
The is a masterfully constructed story that will trigger memories of the time and place in all its sadness....what were the Americans doing in Vietnam, why were they treated badly on their return and why insist women were never there. Finally in March 1982 the Vietnam Veterans Memorial honored the service members of the US armed forces.
This novel hooked my attention from start to finish. It is well said and the events vividly described. I loved it...
Thank you St- Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this ARC
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