The Other Einstein
by Marie Benedict
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The Other Einstein offers us a window into a brilliant, fascinating woman whose light was lost in Einstein's enormous shadow. It is the story of Einstein's wife, a brilliant physicist in her own right, whose contribution to the special theory of relativity is hotly debated and may have been inspired by her own profound and very personal insight. Mitza Maric has always been a little different from other girls. Most twenty-year-olds are wives by now, not studying physics at an elite Zurich show more university with only male students trying to outdo her clever calculations. But Mitza is smart enough to know that, for her, math is an easier path than marriage. And then fellow student Albert Einstein takes an interest in her, and the world turns sideways. Theirs becomes a partnership of the mind and of the heart, but there might not be room for more than one genius in a marriage. show lessTags
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**This book was reviewed for the Manhattan and Seattle Book Reviews, and Netgalley**
The Other Einstein, by Marie Benedict, is a look at lost dreams, failing hopes, and 'what ifs’. What if Mileva, little known first wife of Albert Einstein, had never forsaken her path, and graduated with a physics degree as she had planned? What if she had collaborated equally with her husband?
This extraordinary woman had the misfortune to be born into a world reluctant to allow women university education, especially in the 'hard’ sciences of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Mileva had to fight for the chance, with everything working against her. She was a female of Eastern European descent who walked with a pronounced limp, and was subject to show more open and veiled scorn alike.
Mileva met Albert at university in Zurich. He was the first in her small class to be welcoming, and soon enough managed to sneak under her guard and into her affections. This proved her undoing, in more ways than one. A pregnancy and birth out of wedlock led to Mileva failing her final work towards her physics degree, and never going back to finish. Instead, she married Einstein, and had two more children by him. Sadly, only the middle child survived, though by that point, Mileva was separated from the renowned physicist.
This work is one of historical fiction, speculating on the relationship between Mileva and Albert, including the notion that she helped him develop the theory of relativity we know him for today. Of course, we cannot know all of the truth today, but it's a fascinating look behind the scenes of the famed physicist’s life, and an even more fascinating look at this sharp-minded woman determined to go against conventionalities. History is as relative as time; it is the story written by the victor of an engagement, especially in absence of strong compelling evidence to the contrary.
Benedict’s book is astounding. I breezed through it in a few quick hours, secluding myself from family so as to better sink into the story world. There is nothing worse than being abruptly torn from a truly engrossing story, leaving one momentarily dazed and confused by the shift, especially for mere trivialities. The writing was beautiful, always engaging, often drawing tears and melancholy. What could Mileva have accomplished, had she stayed her own course? As a bonus, the cover art is quite magnificent.
🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻 Highly recommended show less
The Other Einstein, by Marie Benedict, is a look at lost dreams, failing hopes, and 'what ifs’. What if Mileva, little known first wife of Albert Einstein, had never forsaken her path, and graduated with a physics degree as she had planned? What if she had collaborated equally with her husband?
This extraordinary woman had the misfortune to be born into a world reluctant to allow women university education, especially in the 'hard’ sciences of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Mileva had to fight for the chance, with everything working against her. She was a female of Eastern European descent who walked with a pronounced limp, and was subject to show more open and veiled scorn alike.
Mileva met Albert at university in Zurich. He was the first in her small class to be welcoming, and soon enough managed to sneak under her guard and into her affections. This proved her undoing, in more ways than one. A pregnancy and birth out of wedlock led to Mileva failing her final work towards her physics degree, and never going back to finish. Instead, she married Einstein, and had two more children by him. Sadly, only the middle child survived, though by that point, Mileva was separated from the renowned physicist.
This work is one of historical fiction, speculating on the relationship between Mileva and Albert, including the notion that she helped him develop the theory of relativity we know him for today. Of course, we cannot know all of the truth today, but it's a fascinating look behind the scenes of the famed physicist’s life, and an even more fascinating look at this sharp-minded woman determined to go against conventionalities. History is as relative as time; it is the story written by the victor of an engagement, especially in absence of strong compelling evidence to the contrary.
Benedict’s book is astounding. I breezed through it in a few quick hours, secluding myself from family so as to better sink into the story world. There is nothing worse than being abruptly torn from a truly engrossing story, leaving one momentarily dazed and confused by the shift, especially for mere trivialities. The writing was beautiful, always engaging, often drawing tears and melancholy. What could Mileva have accomplished, had she stayed her own course? As a bonus, the cover art is quite magnificent.
🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻 Highly recommended show less
This poignant story, with its vivid, well-developed characters, is wonderfully compelling. I was deeply moved as I read about Mileva and Albert’s relationship, from the early days of their courtship to the gradual deterioration of their marriage. It’s a fine story, but still I wonder how much of it is true. We may never know to what extent Mileva contributed to her husband’s work. It is certainly difficult to read about the cruelties of a popular celebrity, and while I hope that Albert Einstein wasn’t as selfish as he is portrayed here, I know that it’s a possibility. A thought-provoking story that leaves me wanting to know more.
I received a free copy of this e-book from the publisher (via Netgalley) in exchange for an honest review.
Certainly Albert Einstein is probably the most well-known scientist of our time; but his first wife Mileva is virtually unknown. Some people believe that she made major contributions to her husbands work, but received virtually no recognition for her effort. I was ready for a spectacular novel about this woman who could have been as famous as Marie Curie. I was slightly disappointed.
Firstly, a good bit of the dialog seemed too modern for the novel's setting. Secondly, I became very frustrated at Mileva for being a doormat. Over and over again she gives up her ambition and work to be a wife and mother. I couldn't help but compare show more her to Marie Curie. While Marie Curie worked openly with her husband, and eventually became better known than her husband; Mileva lets herself be a victim over and over again. Plus Albert Einstein comes off like a total jackass throughout the novel. By the end, I really didn't like Mileva or Albert. show less
Certainly Albert Einstein is probably the most well-known scientist of our time; but his first wife Mileva is virtually unknown. Some people believe that she made major contributions to her husbands work, but received virtually no recognition for her effort. I was ready for a spectacular novel about this woman who could have been as famous as Marie Curie. I was slightly disappointed.
Firstly, a good bit of the dialog seemed too modern for the novel's setting. Secondly, I became very frustrated at Mileva for being a doormat. Over and over again she gives up her ambition and work to be a wife and mother. I couldn't help but compare show more her to Marie Curie. While Marie Curie worked openly with her husband, and eventually became better known than her husband; Mileva lets herself be a victim over and over again. Plus Albert Einstein comes off like a total jackass throughout the novel. By the end, I really didn't like Mileva or Albert. show less
Though this is a work of fiction, it may nevertheless alter your concept of Albert Einstein. He was a great scientist, but certainly less than wonderful when dealing with people, espcecially with his first wife and his children. Mileva was sought out by Albert, badgered and wooed by him, and then, after giving in to him, gradually dismissed and discarded. In this book, the reader is introduced to a wife who is brilliant in her her right, but whose insights were incorporated into her husband’s work without acknowledgement. We see a public Albert who is quite a bit different from the private one. And we begin to understand the shock and disappointment that Meleva comes to accept when she realizes that Albert has, in essence, not only show more lied to her about what their lives would be like, but also betrayed her when he was unfaithful. Well-written and fascinating, this is novel is more than just a rendition of the lives of the Einsteins: it is a cautionary tale of what sometimes happens when two brilliant people become involved and one is not trustworthy. show less
Mitzi Maric has always been a little different from other girls. Most twenty-year-olds are wives by now, or studying physics at an elite Zurich university with only male students trying to outdo her clever calculations. But Mitzi is smart enough to know that, for her, math is an easier path than marriage. And then fellow student, Albert Einstein, takes an interest in her, and her world turns sideways. Theirs becomes a partnership of the mind and of the heart, but Albert proves to be less the man than she hoped he’d be.
As a young man, well before he moved to the United States in 1940, Albert Einstein was married to a woman whose intelligence rivaled his own, and who was quite possibly a collaborator on his infamous 1905 paper on special relativity. After researching the couple through many books, articles, and personal letters, author Marie Benedict presents here a fictionalized account of the life of Mileva Marić, Albert Einstein's first wife, which will completely change the way you think about Einstein himself.
The writing came across as somewhat heavy-handed, and at times I found myself wishing it were a bit more subtle or nuanced. Her story has just recently been made into a National Geographic production, but I have to admit I was unaware of show more Mileva's existence prior to hearing about this book. It's satisfying that she's receiving some well-deserved attention, albeit via a work of fiction, but at the same time I'm disappointed that I feel so disillusioned now about Albert Einstein as a human being. I selected this title as a facilitator of a senior book group and, interestingly, learned that it was not news to the women of previous generations that Einstein was a well-known philanderer. I myself have considerable difficulty conjuring up an image of this wild-haired cultural icon as a flirtatious young man. show less
The writing came across as somewhat heavy-handed, and at times I found myself wishing it were a bit more subtle or nuanced. Her story has just recently been made into a National Geographic production, but I have to admit I was unaware of show more Mileva's existence prior to hearing about this book. It's satisfying that she's receiving some well-deserved attention, albeit via a work of fiction, but at the same time I'm disappointed that I feel so disillusioned now about Albert Einstein as a human being. I selected this title as a facilitator of a senior book group and, interestingly, learned that it was not news to the women of previous generations that Einstein was a well-known philanderer. I myself have considerable difficulty conjuring up an image of this wild-haired cultural icon as a flirtatious young man. show less
The Other Einstein is a story that should be told. It is sad to read about a woman who was brilliant in her own right and yet abused so much by her famous husband. He would not have been so successful without his wife's help. It is a sad story that is allowed to be echoed over and over again, that is to say, women not getting a chance to be recognized for their contributions. Four stars were given in this review. It is highly recommended.
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Author Information
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Marie Benedict is a well established lawyer at two of the country's premier law firms. She graduated magna cum laude from Boston College with a focus on Art History and History. She is also a cum laude graduate of Boston University School of Law. Marie had a passion for unearthing the hidden historical stories of women. She followed this passion show more and began her writing career. Her first historical novel was "The Other Einstein", which recounts the story of Albert Einstein's first wife, a physicist, and the role she may have played in his theories.The other novels in this series include Carnegie's Maid, and The Only Woman in the Room. She also writes historical novels as Heather Terrell. Those titles include: The Chrysalis, The Map Thief, and Brigid of Kildare. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- The Other Einstein
- Original title
- The Other Einstein
- Original publication date
- 2016-10-18
- People/Characters
- Mileva Marić; Albert Einstein
- Important places
- Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Dedication
- For Jim, Jack, and Ben
- First words
- August 4, 1948 62 Huttenstrasse Zurich, Switzerland The end is near.
- Quotations
- Loneliness outweighed any incandescence of thought brought about by Lenard's kinetic theory of gases and his experiments on the speed at which oxygen molecules travel.
In her usual shrewd way, Helene laid her finger on the source of my unease. My ill mood did not emanate solely from the fog or even my loneliness but on the burden that this term away might place upon my career path.
Like a deck of cards, he spread the rejection letters out across the cafe table.
She looked me up and down, sizing me up as dispassionately as Mama would assess a side of beef at the market, and said, "Your father is proud of you, Mrs. Einstein. A physics degree, a successful husband, and a nice life in S... (show all)witzerland. What father wouldn't be proud?"
The train car, although brimming with our belongings and ornately decorated in red velvet, felt strangely empty. Was something missing? Our trunks and luggage were stored safely in our racks over our heads, and our handbags a... (show all)nd backpacks sat nearby on the benches. It couldn't be the absence of Albert; the boys and I had grown accustomed to traveling without him, to living without him, really. What was the source of this sensation then? Could the missing something be Lieserl? No, she was here with me, the guiding shadow in my life, absent yet somehow always present. Perhaps the something unaccounted for was the old self I was leaving behind. For the first time in a very long time, I felt like Mitza again. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)I see my Lieserl. Mitza
- Blurbers
- Shapiro, B.A.; Cantor, Jillian; Robuck, Erika; Nesting, Vicki; O'Connor, Nuala; Tessaro, Kathleen
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- English
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