Romance, history, war
Tulip Chowdhury studies a strong woman
When one starts reading a novel by Irving Stone it's like putting down the first step on a fascinating journey. The book carries the reader through heart gripping plots and soaring adventures. There are simply too many things happening and one cannot put the book down until the journey ends. The reader can be certain that he or she is onto having some wonderful hours of reading. Immortal Wife is a saga that will leave the reader feeling enriched and experienced with tales of human nature and fascinating realities of life. Immortal Wife is the biographical novel of Jessie Benton Fremont. She was an American writer and a political activist. Her husband John C. Fremont was a well-known explorer in the armed forces. Midway in his life he became an active politician. And then when the land they had purchased at Mariposa, California, turned out to be a gold mine he became the owner of that mine. John met Jessie when she was sixteen and they fell in love at first sight. When John heard her vehemently opposing a decision of her school authority at a time when it was unladylike to oppose any formal decisions in public, he knew that she was the woman for him. And when Jessie stared into his blue eyes as he kissed her hand she knew that he was the only man in her life. They were married immediately in secrecy for Jessie's father Tom Benton, a senator from Missouri, did not approve the union. That was Jessie doing what she believed in. That was the beginning of their life together, a life that resonated with war, peace, death, destruction and pieces of happiness in between it all. Jessie's life as John's wife was a rollercoaster ride. They settled down in Washington expecting a blissful life. However, Jessie found that spurs of moments came for her unfolding unexpected adventures, life came with its bundles of surprises for her. Before her marriage Jessie had been closely associating with her father with his political activities. After her marriage she found herself beside her husband, advising and encouraging him on his expeditions. Jessie was a voracious reader and a very prolific writer. She kept herself well informed on worldly matters. John was sent to explore new trails in California. In no time Jessie was an expert on her knowledge of the details of the trail which John was expected to explore. She was able to advise him on what gears to take, which men to accompany him and was ready with a complete map of the trail. Jessie was a strong supporter of her husband whether it was his political aspirations, his travel through California or his work at the mines. Both, Jessie and her husband were against slavery. Their firm stand against this exploitation of human beings started even before President Lincoln took his stand against it. In the great American Civil War Jessie and John stood united in their stand against slavery and earned the respect of the masses of people. John C Fremont became the first candidate of the Republican Party for the office of presidential canditate of United States. He was the first presidential candidate of a major party to run on a platform in opposition to slavery. In all his political upheavels Jessie was constantly beside John. She was called General Jessie for outstanding contributions beside her husband's during the Civil War. As their life faced so many rough seas, Jessie and John rode the waves with all the strength of their love. Jessie a fearless, adoring rebellion swore in her life that marriage was only the beginning for a woman born to be much more than just a wife….a woman for all time. Many times they led thorough financial hardships but Jessie was too proud to ask for help from her father. It was their love that carried them like an angel's wings at all times. There was a time when John had to go through a court martial. Jessie's father told her that John should give in. However, Jessie stood by her husband and his stand that he had not committed mutiny as implied. And in the end the husband and wife came out victorious. The love between Jessie and John is an example of how a family can survive the oddest of circumstances with the towering strength of love There was never a fraction of wavering where they stood firmly for each other. For them their marriage was a love affair without end Irving Stone writes factually and with a deep humanistic touch. While reading Immortal Wife you feel like you are there with the characters and are experiencing everything that they are going through. The story pulses with deep emotion and panoramic action. The protagonist Jessie Benton Fremont is a magnanimous character that does not fail to impress the reader. She wrote many stories that were printed in popular magazine of her time as well as several books of historical value. Her writings, which helped support her family during times of financial difficulty, were memoirs of her husband's, and her own, time in the American West, back when the West was an exotic frontier. The book comes with romance, history and a flavour of the American Civil War. It is informative and at the same time a lovestory carved in history. A great read for all times!
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