The Divorcees: The sun-soaked atmospheric summer page-turner everyone is talking about

The Divorcees was set in the 1950s and follows a group of women at the Reno “divorce ranches” where they stay while waiting to legally end their marriages. The story focuses on two women Lois and Greer, who form a close friendship that reveals their longing for freedom, identity and independence in a society that limits women’s choices.

My favourite character was Greer because she was bold, confident and unapologetically herself. She bought energy and excitement to the story and challenged the expectations placed on women at the time. Her mysterious nature made her fascinating and she inspired Lois to think differently about her own life.

My least favourite character in the book was Elizabeth because she seemed quite judgemental and unkind towards the other women. She appeared to represent the strict old-fashioned attitudes that trapped many women in unhappy lives. Her behaviour often made the atmosphere at the ranch feel tense and uncomfortable.

I liked how the book explored women’s independence and friendship in a time when divorce was still frowned upon. The writing was vivid, the setting felt real and atmospheric, giving a strong sense of the 1950s.

On the downside I found the story a little slow in places, and some of the secondary characters were not developed as much as I would’ve liked. At times, it was also quite sad and heavy.

I did like the way the author had written this book. Her writing was elegant and thoughtful, with beautiful descriptions and emotional depth. She captured the inner struggles of the women very well.

When I finished reading the book, I felt reflective and a bit emotional. It made me think about how much courage it takes to change your life and how friendship can give people strength and hope during difficult times; a very enjoyable read.

Based on the divorce ranches in Nevada in the 1950s, this is the fictional story of a group of residents who are there for a 6-week stay. Lois is booked into the Golden Yarrow Divorce Ranch, one of the most elite (and more expensive) of the ranches which therefore attracts the crème de la crème of US society girls looking for a divorce. A few days later Greer appears, shrouded in a cloak of mystery. She is wild, unpredictable, uber-confident and very private, often eating alone and avoiding giving out details about her past or present self. This causes the other girls to hold her in high regard, convincing themselves that she must be in the top strata of the social pecking order. Lois, who is lower down the scale than many of her compatriots is targeted by Greer as her special friend, much to the chagrin of the other residents. The six weeks turns out to be very interesting.

Much to my surprise I really enjoyed this book. I was anticipating something light, breezy and superficial (the title of the book contributed to this) but although most of the characters themselves fitted into this category, the actual content of the book was deeper than that, showing up some of the residents’ behaviour for what it was – snobbery, frippery, pettiness and jealousy.
The characters in the book were well developed, from the residents themselves to the owner/manager of the ranch (aka the wrangler apparently), the other workers in the ranch and even the drinkers in the bars.
The book evokes the life and times of the 1950s and also brings to life the arid nature of Nevada in the summer.
Another welcome surprise was that I didn’t expect to actually learn from this book but, never having heard of “divorce ranches”, I was quite intrigued by the whole concept and did some online research. Every day’s a school day! It would appear that living the life of Riley by swimming, horse-riding and fishing by day and visiting local bars and casinos at night is de rigeur. In fact when Ria Langham went to one in 1939 to divorce Clark Gable she described it as “the finest and shortest vacation I ever had in my life”. The author has clearly done her own research and it would appear that she has portrayed both the ranches and the people very accurately.
For added interest the author has even injected a certain amount of mystery and suspense, partly in the persona of Greer, but also in an incident which happens during the resident’s stay.

The only criticism I have is that was a little slow and repetitive at times, which made it drag. I guess this is almost inevitable as life on the ranch probably mirrors this pattern but that doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it as a reader. And, to her credit, the author did do her best to introduce snippets of unpredictable behaviour which broke the mundanity of everyday life without compromising the book’s authenticity.

This is certainly a book I would recommend and I will be keeping an eye open for more by this author.

A great cover and an unexpectedly good read, based on 'divorce ranches' set up in Nevada after the Depression (together with casinos) to bring money into the state. Women with means in need of a divorce, difficult to obtain at that time, with huge social stigma, could pay to spend six weeks required to obtain a quickie divorce after providing proof of residency and intent to stay in Nevada (never enforced).

The Golden Yarrow ranch attracts well-off ladies with good social credentials. Lois arrives from Lake Forest, Michigan in flight from an unhappy marriage to a controlling husband. Lois had lost her mother at an early age, while her father doesn't seem to care other than fulfilling expectations of a good Polish immigrant. She married Laurence after they met at the cinema, her only escape, and she believed he offered a different life than the one that made her mother depressed and so unhappy she used to take Lois out with her to scream with frustration. So divorce seems Lois' only option, an alternative to losing herself.

Once at the ranch with other women waiting out their six weeks she is disappointed to realise she doesn't fit in there either. Then Greer Lang appears, an alluring Katherine Hepburn style figure who thumbs her nose at convention, beautiful, provocative and demanding. Greer proves the catalyst for disorder and disruption at the Golden Yarrow, with it's routines of regular meals, cocktail hour, daily horse rides, evenings at the local bar and casino.

Through Greer Lois sees other possibilities to her expected return to her father's house and dependence on his support until another husband can be found. Greer appears to encourage Lois, but should Lois trust her new friend, is she (Greer) offering a new life or a way to self-destruction?

This is a slow burn kind of read, with echoes of Patricia Highsmith, that demands patience and understanding. I found the history and setting very interesting. Tension builds slowly but steadily, to the book's clever ending. Does Lois find her way to a better future? You'll have to read the book to find out. What a great film it would make, with 50s glamour and Reno setting.

I just loved this book!
Atmospheric, dark and seductive, this book drew me in and kept me hooked from start to finish.
A gritty plot and desperate characters created tension and suspense.
This is an accomplished debut, and I look forward to reading more of the author’s work.

This is a deeply compelling and thrilling page turner. It’s one of those books you are just waiting for the other shoe to drop. The characters -1950s soon-to-be divorcees - are unforgettable. There is much mystery about everybody, including the owners of the ranch and various other bit players. The story is dark and rich with Sinatra-esque, rat pack, casino kind of vibes. It’s from a bygone world. The story is well written and flows nicely. The plot builds in mood at just the right pace - a captivating tale. I loved this book and wished for another hundred pages.