Reviews

The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict

ladiebuggle's review against another edition

2.0

This was rough. This book could've benefited from two things:
1. A better editor, to reduce the redundancy. The same thing was often said in different ways only sentences apart.
2. More showing, less telling.

tlkpharm's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

blairfrank's review against another edition

4.0

I have a lot of research to do after reading this.

midwifereading's review against another edition

2.0

This isn't a bad book, at all, but it wasn't what I expected. The premise is intriguing, and is what drew me to pick it up -- a 'what-if' story about Mileva "Mitza" Marìc, Albert Einstein's first wife, and what her true contribution to his 1905 publishing of his theory of relativity might have been.

I expected the book to center on their work together. Instead, it's more of a fictional retelling of their life and marriage with the science as a backdrop and plot motivator. There is actually very little about the science, and a lot more of Mitza's internal monologue from her student days through her separation from Einstein.

The author's intent, as stated in her note, was to humanize the couple, and I think she was successful in that, overall, and treated the couple fairly. However, ultimately, the writing itself was somewhat lackluster. There are several places where she uses words that really don't seem to make sense in the context--bemused, when it really appears she meant amused, for example. And I think it was a mistake to use the first person voice in this instance. It feels unreal to me.

That said, it was okay, hence the 2⭐'s. I hope that Mitza's story is one day fully fleshed out and told well, and this book is a good start. Even if it wasn't quite what I had hoped.

mxshvili's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

magpie1810's review against another edition

It wasn’t bad, but just didn’t grab me. I found myself not picking it up

mysterymom40's review

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death and Sexism

Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Ableism

chelseatm's review against another edition

1.0

I was really disappointed with this book. It presented itself as a feminist salute to overlooked women. Instead it was a condescending, awkward trope. Where it could have told the story of a woman, it instead told her story in a relationship with a man. Instead of focusing on her accomplishments or ambitions, it was a story about how her ambition and life were encumbered and hampered by a man.

This book is terrible and I don't recommend it. Move along. Nothing to see here.

njw13's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

chloe16's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75