The Women: A Novel

Rye is Finley’s friend and a defining person in Frankie’s life, as he suggests she become a hero despite their society lauding traditional masculinity. In this way, he is unlike other men in her life, recognizing her intelligence and potential. She finds him charming, and when they reunite in Vietnam, she is again drawn to him but keeps her distance as he is engaged. Outside of this romance, Rye is portrayed as a competent, respected captain to his fellow pilots. He comforts Frankie and helps her reach her full potential as a nurse—with her believing she might not have ventured to Vietnam without his encouragement. Because of this, she believes his claim of ending his loveless engagement to properly pursue her. Their courtship is brief, as her tour ends and Rye is allegedly killed in action. When Frankie discovers he is not only alive—having been imprisoned rather than killed—but married with a child, she is devastated. The novel takes care to contextualize both characters without excusing their behavior: Despite Rye’s previous warmth and Frankie’s talk of morality, they start an affair—possibly due to both being living connections to their beloved Finley. As Frankie works through guilt and toward healing, she realizes Rye will never be faithful to her or his wife. He claims to have had a crush on Frankie for a long time, and while this is likely true, it is just as possible that he sees their reunion in Vietnam as a matter of convenience, a way to finally have her outside of her usual setting due to feeling out of place with her wealthy family.

Ethel and Barbara (Barb) are Frankie’s fellow nurses and roommates in Vietnam, who prove lifelong friends during and after the war. Initially, both women act as foils to the naïve Frankie, being seasoned and jaded about the war. Despite their differences, they support Frankie by providing advice regarding love interests Jamie Callahan and Rye Walsh. Overall, they cope with trauma by making jokes, drinking alcohol, and dancing. After the war, Barb in particular remains a confidant for Frankie. They exchange letters and calls, and Barb encourages her to find a new purpose in her civilian life. For Barb herself, this takes the form of anti-war protests—especially after the death of her brother in a riot. She eventually confesses to Frankie that she, too, suffers from nightmares of the war. Ethel finds purpose in becoming a veterinarian and invites Frankie and Barb to live at her horse farm in Virginia—a place that inspires Frankie’s future safe haven near Montana. Overall, Ethel and Barb’s love is the type to fulfill her, rather than that of a love interest like Rye.