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anabel_unker 's review for:
The Divorcées
by Rowan Beaird
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Set against the backdrop of the Nevada desert, THE DIVORCEES explores a new part of American history that is rarely explored. Set during the 1950s, Lois Saunders finds herself unceremoniously sent to Reno's most well reputed "Divorce Ranches" where, according to strict instructions by her father, she is to hole up for the state required six weeks, finalize her divorce, and then return straight home to her childhood home. The Golden Yarrow provides luxurious accommodations for her patrons-- a swimming pool, horse back riding, nature walks, daily trips to the town's bars and casino-- as well as the companionship of other pending divorcees. But Lois finds herself unable to fit in with the other wealthy girls, her awkward nature too big a hurdle to overcome, and she soon feels as isolated as she was during her loveless marriage.
Enter Greer Lang, a mysterious woman who appears in the middle of a night with a bruise mottling her beautiful face. Lois feels as drawn to her as a moth to a flame, and Greer, against all odds, seems to genuinely enjoy Lois' company.
This book was definitely character driven, with Lois a protagonist not everyone will relate to. She's awkward, perhaps autism-coded, and unsure of her place in the world-- it's truly only in the last chapters of the book we get the chance to see her truly grow into herself. Alternatively, Greer was a complex and incredibly interesting character-- her personality and traits revealed to the readers bit by bit, almost slowly enough it would be easy to not notice the red flags. I loved the LGBTQA+ undertones of Greer and Lois' relationship, and how, ultimately, it reflected an abusive marriage (which was so perfect when explored on a Divorce Ranch amongst other women trying to escape their own abusive relationships).
This book will not leave you on the edge of your seat, it's slow moving and not as action packed as some may hope-- but the author did a wonderful job of not only capturing one woman's relatively unglamorous experience at a 1950s divorce ranch (which would be so easy to romanticize) as well as a complex female relationship, and one woman's exploration to see how far she's willing to go for freedom.
Set against the backdrop of the Nevada desert, THE DIVORCEES explores a new part of American history that is rarely explored. Set during the 1950s, Lois Saunders finds herself unceremoniously sent to Reno's most well reputed "Divorce Ranches" where, according to strict instructions by her father, she is to hole up for the state required six weeks, finalize her divorce, and then return straight home to her childhood home. The Golden Yarrow provides luxurious accommodations for her patrons-- a swimming pool, horse back riding, nature walks, daily trips to the town's bars and casino-- as well as the companionship of other pending divorcees. But Lois finds herself unable to fit in with the other wealthy girls, her awkward nature too big a hurdle to overcome, and she soon feels as isolated as she was during her loveless marriage.
Enter Greer Lang, a mysterious woman who appears in the middle of a night with a bruise mottling her beautiful face. Lois feels as drawn to her as a moth to a flame, and Greer, against all odds, seems to genuinely enjoy Lois' company.
This book was definitely character driven, with Lois a protagonist not everyone will relate to. She's awkward, perhaps autism-coded, and unsure of her place in the world-- it's truly only in the last chapters of the book we get the chance to see her truly grow into herself. Alternatively, Greer was a complex and incredibly interesting character-- her personality and traits revealed to the readers bit by bit, almost slowly enough it would be easy to not notice the red flags. I loved the LGBTQA+ undertones of Greer and Lois' relationship, and how, ultimately, it reflected an abusive marriage (which was so perfect when explored on a Divorce Ranch amongst other women trying to escape their own abusive relationships).
This book will not leave you on the edge of your seat, it's slow moving and not as action packed as some may hope-- but the author did a wonderful job of not only capturing one woman's relatively unglamorous experience at a 1950s divorce ranch (which would be so easy to romanticize) as well as a complex female relationship, and one woman's exploration to see how far she's willing to go for freedom.