The Vietnam War lasted 20 years from 1955 until 1975 but the novel we discussed - 'The Women' - was an American historical fiction bestseller based on one woman's journey as a nurse serving with the Army Nursing Corps during the Vietnam War between 1965 and 1969.

We had mixed feelings about this book. Whilst we all agreed that it was clearly well-researched and tackled the very real topics of bigotry, intolerance and ignorance regarding women and their role in this conflict, it tipped over into a sentimental rather improbable love story. The first half of the book tells the story of Frankie's reason for joining up and serving in Vietnam. This part of the book brings home the horrors, in a visceral account, of the blood, gore and loss of life, a bit in the style of MAS*H, including the fragile, turbulent and unsustainable relationships built between the men and women serving.

In the second half, the protagonist Frankie McGrath, found her salvation through her close nursing colleagues who had been with her on the front in Vietnam and with whom she had shared war-time experiences. They understood the PTSD, drug dependence, alcoholism and depression better than anyone else and the strength of their support saved Frankie from herself. This aspect of the novel was an interesting insight into how the various agencies disregarded and disparaged those many women who suffered so much from their time in Vietnam. It also shed light on the various treatments meted out to those with 'mental health' problems at that time. We agreed that we learnt about the role of the many women who served during the height of the war. This was both enlightening and informative. We also revisited the political change that exploded across the States in 1965 after the drafting of thousands of young men, alongside the rise in student activism and the enormous public condemnation of this ongoing and ultimately failing conflict.