“This page-turning book of social history shows how seriously “till death do us part” was taken in the 19th century. Marriage was sacred, wives were obedient, and strict laws kept it that way—except in South Dakota. This was the only state where women could get divorced, and as a result, ladies seeking independence flooded the major city of Sioux Falls in droves, even though it meant being shunned by townsfolk, decried by the clergy, and mocked in the tabloids. Historian April White puts you smack in the middle of this cultural frontier with vivid accounts of these intrepid women, including wealthy Maggie De Stuers—who took the train west when the baron she’d married tried to have her declared insane in order to claim her inheritance—and Blanche Molineux, who sought freedom after her husband was acquitted of the two murders he’d committed. The Divorce Colony illuminates how women like these crossed a painful and important hurdle on the road to autonomy.” 
– Apple Books
 
“April White breathes life into an almost forgotten era in American history” 
– The Philadelphia Inquirer
 
“[The Divorce Colony] captures a game-changing cultural moment during the tumultuous years of the Gilded Age…In White’s hands, this slice of history is as entertaining as it is enlightening.” 
– BookPage
 
"The Divorce Colony delivers a delicious, cinematic tale of real-life scandal, suspense, and above all else, survival. It’s beautifully written, fiercely feminist, and best of all, a true page-turner from start to finish. It's a story I wish I had written." 
― Abbott Kahler, New York Times bestselling author (as Karen Abbott) of The Ghosts of Eden Park

"Until I read April White's remarkable book, The Divorce Colony, I had not thought of women seeking to leave marriages in the 19th century as human rights pioneers. But this story—vivid, compelling, infuriating, inspiring—changed my mind. And I have no doubt, it will change yours, too." 
— Deborah Blum, New York Times bestselling author of The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz-Age New York
 
“The Divorce Colony paints a carefully-researched portrait of four women at the turn of the 20th century who had had enough. White’s colorful portrayal of these brave divorcees—conjured before our eyes through an impressive deep dive into the archives—reminds us of the distance, both literal and figurative, that women have travelled to uncouple and regain their freedom. A fascinating read!" 
— Paulina Bren, Ph.D., award-winning author of The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free
 
"For those out there who have an abiding fascination with nineteenth century railways, with matters concerning sex, scandal, divorce, exile, and refuge,  with the Frontier and the prairies - for anyone who would fain meld Peyton Place with West by Northwest and The Shining,  April White has done us all a great favor.  I loved every word of this most surprising book." 
– Simon Winchester
 
“Unearthing a hidden gem previously lost to history, April White weaves impeccable research and elegant prose into a thought-provoking page turner. The Divorce Colony  is an irresistible work of narrative nonfiction.”
– Matthew Pearl, bestselling author of The Taking of Jemima Boone and The Dante Club

“美国丰富多彩的离婚史……怀特生动的人物素描和流畅的故事讲述支持了她的观点，即通过寻求离婚，这些女性有助于婚姻民主化。女性历史爱好者将欣赏这篇精彩的报道。”
----《出版者周刊》（Publishers Weekly）
 
“这是美国历史上鲜为人知的一段时期的迷人写照：当时“去苏福尔斯”成为了离婚的同义词，少数的精英女性获得了难得的机会来控制自己的命运……（一部）引人入胜的、经过彻底研究的书。怀特很好地使她的描述对象具有人情味，同时忠实于讲述迷人的真相。”
----《科克斯书评》（Kirkus）
 
“对美国社会历史做出了宝贵而有趣的贡献。”                   
----《书单》（Booklist）

“对一段被遗忘的历史进行引人入胜的审视，迷人的叙述让它感觉像是一部戏剧性的小说，而不是经过充分考据的非虚构作品。对任何对女性历史感兴趣的人来说，这都是必读书目。”
----《图书馆周刊》（Library Journal）