In the early 1900s, Nevada was the only state where people could divorce without cause, and the proceedings lasted only six weeks instead of the usual one year. Women and men came from all over the US, and staid in ranches until the dissolution of their marriage. The Divorce Ranch is the story of three women seeking a divorce in Reno in 1936. Maggie Carmichael Warner comes from New York, and has a cheating husband who can’t give her any children. Dorothy Adams is a movie star, and wants to get out of an arranged marriage with another actor. Claire Brown would like to divorce her husband who not only cheated on her but also gambled all their fortune. The three women stay at the Washoe Ranch, and become friends. What starts as a rather sad gathering actually turns out to be a blessing in disguise for these women…
I had never heard of divorce ranches before I read this book, and I thought this was an interesting part of American history.The author, Catherine MacDonald, actually lives in Nevada close to where two of the most famous divorce ranches were located. She became intrigued by them when she read an article in a local paper, and decided to set her next novel in a divorce ranch. I thought the subject the author chose was original and interesting, and the book was a fun read. However, the story was a bit too predictable, and the main characters lacked depth, and were too stereotyped. For people looking for some light reading though, this book certainly delivers.
The Divorce Ranch was sent to me for free in exchange for an honest review.
Fun facts about the author and the book:
- Catherine MacDonald used to be a school teacher.
- She has a blog where she gives advice on how to lead a balanced life: The Way, Seven Simple Steps
- The author is an avid reader, and she believes it is an essential component of being a good writer.
- The last divorce ranches in Nevada closed in the mid-sixties.
About the author and her work: Super Novel.
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