Immortal Wife is a best-selling fictional biography written by
Irving Stone.
[1] The book came out in 1944
[2] and is the story of
Jessie Benton Frémont the well known and influential abolitionist and political activist. Her husband was Colonel
John C. Frémont.
The book is a novel and not a factual biography, nor a factual history. It is a novelization of the woman and her actual relationships. It is told as a narration by Jessie. She relates the story of the court martial of her husband. This trial is a result of a dispute between Commodore Stockton of the Navy and General Kearny of the Army. [3] This court martial is an actual historical event, that took place in January 1848 in Washington, D.C.
This book was recognized at the time of its publication for being a "history as dramatic and deeply moving as any novel or play, but without sacrificing accuracy and truth." [4] Stone was noted for writing about overlooked, misunderstood, or unfairly misrepresented women who were married to and influenced well known historical figures. This was the first of a series of four such books he wrote. [5] The New York Times called it "...a full and rounded portrait of two remarkable persons, and of a remarkable marriage...", and thought this book was impressive. The Times called it "an objective analysis of character..." so packed with facts that it is "a biography" rather than a novel. [6] One reviewer called this book a grand love story, a grand edventure story, about "one of the most dramatic and controversial figures in our history," that is well told. [7]
Paramount Pictures announced, in 1951, that they would produce a film based on this book starring Olivia de Havilland, but there is no evidence that it ever went into production. [8] [9]
Paramount has bought the film rights to Irving Stone's best-selling novel, "Immortal Wife," the story of Jessie Fremont, wife of Gen. John Fremont, Western trail-blazer.