Patrick County Retired Teachers’ Book Club met Wednesday, February 18, at the Patrick County Library to discuss the book, “The Women,” by Kristin Hannah. Deborah Foster led the discussion.
“The Women” is a historical fiction that reveals the powerful contributions and sacrifices made by the American military nurses who served in Vietnam. Those who returned came home unrecognized, friendless, and unappreciated for their service by angry protesters and to a country that wanted to forget Vietnam.
Angela Mullis, a book club member and former military nurse who served in Thailand and Vietnam in the early seventies after joining at the age of twenty, gave a personal and visual account of her experiences in Vietnam. She spoke of the strong support among the women; the suffering; numbness; strategies of survival; and the hot, wet, humid and harsh environment. She spoke of their appreciation of small things like a picture. She summed up her thoughts by commenting on how crippling war is both on the field and on the return home just as Frankie in The Women experiences.
All who enjoy reading are welcome to attend the Patrick County Retired Teachers’ Book Club that meets the third Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m.at the Patrick County Library where you can enjoy reading and discussing books.
