The Bluestocking: The Story of the Famous Forrest Divorce Case

The 1851-1852 divorce trial of eminent tragedian Edwin Forrest and his English-born wife Catherine was a classic New York City tabloid scandal. Delman ( Bye-Bye Baby ) captures the eye-to-the-keyhole tone by quoting large portions of the actual courtroom testimony, including accusations of adultery and alcoholism, with minimal narrative intervention. Providing counterpoint to the testimony are a third- person chronicle about Henry Stewart, a high-born widower who has taken on the low-class profession of journalist and is covering the trial for the New York Herald , and the fictitious diary of Catherine Forrest, which serves to make the accused ``bluestocking'' more sympathetic and may lead readers to conclusions somewhat different from those arrived at by the court. Henry becomes involved with Serena Blaylock, a staunch supporter of Mrs. Forrest, but the novel's real interest is provided by the working-class characters who testify on behalf of one or the other of the Forrests; their language and descriptive stories perfectly encapsulate the tabloid mood. The milieu is dated but the theme of acrimonious divorce is timeless and has sensational appeal, and Delman's writing puts it over the top. (Feb.)