stitchykitch's review against another edition
1.0
I did not like the point of view in this novel. It was never clear whether I was reading a biography of Einstein, or the memoir of the guy who did the autopsy, or an autobiography of the narrator.
Some of the tidbits background given about Einstein's theories were interesting, but overall, the book lacked in depth/plot.
I was really expecting some kind of serious reflection or life lessons learned as I would expect to find in such an odessy, but was sorely disappointed.
I'm surprised I finished this book.
Some of the tidbits background given about Einstein's theories were interesting, but overall, the book lacked in depth/plot.
I was really expecting some kind of serious reflection or life lessons learned as I would expect to find in such an odessy, but was sorely disappointed.
I'm surprised I finished this book.
judyward's review against another edition
3.0
How do you not check out a book about a road trip across the country in a Buick Skylark with Albert Einstein's brain in a Tupperware container as a passenger? I was hooked after reading a description of the book and I'm glad that I threw it into the pile that I hauled to the checkout desk. This is the situation in which Michael Paterniti, a journalist, found himself. It seems that Thomas Harvey, a pathologist who was 84 years old at the time of the cross-country odyssey, performed the autopsy on Albert Einstein after his death in 1955 and Harvey took Einstein's brain home with him after the procedure was completed. Now it's time to drive the brain to California to deliver it to Einstein's granddaughter. It's quite the journey that mixes history and an amazing travelogue. I'm so glad that they didn't decided to simply let the brain fly coach.
mcoleman1250's review against another edition
2.0
"...generations grow to envy the ingenuity and courage of the maverick while glossing over the maverick's genetic kookiness. On such shoulders, a country rises." Read while packing for our trip last week. Fun to read a travel memoir while getting ready to go myself!
Speedy summary: Harvey, the man who performed Einstein's autopsy, has had Einstein's brain for many years. The writer of the novel drives him cross country with the brain to visit Einstein's granddaughter.
Thoughts: It seemed ironic to me that Paterniti almost judges Harvey because he became famous just by being at the right place at the right time. It seems to me that that's exactly how he was able to write this book. I was intrigued by the history presented about Einstein and Harvey, but felt the rest of the book was unfocused.
Speedy summary: Harvey, the man who performed Einstein's autopsy, has had Einstein's brain for many years. The writer of the novel drives him cross country with the brain to visit Einstein's granddaughter.
Thoughts: It seemed ironic to me that Paterniti almost judges Harvey because he became famous just by being at the right place at the right time. It seems to me that that's exactly how he was able to write this book. I was intrigued by the history presented about Einstein and Harvey, but felt the rest of the book was unfocused.
cheryl6of8's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting but somehow not fascinating. I found the constant fanciful use of adjectives a little off-putting, although I got used to it. I enjoyed learning more about Einstein and the road trip was its main appeal for me because of my own impending road trip. I found myself, like the author, appreciating the burden and blessing of Einstein's brain.
hectaizani's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting, but could have been better. The story of the author's journey to California to visit Einstein's granddaughter with the pathologist who originally "stole" Einstein's brain at autopsy. As they ride around with pieces of Einstein's brain in the trunk, the author attempts to relate the story of why the brain was taken in the first place - research, of course - and what has been done with it all these many years - not all that much, some pieces have gone to other researchers and an article or two has been published but that's about it.
josher71's review against another edition
2.0
This guy is a pretty good writer for Esquire. That being said I really enjoy his shorter work and got bored with this book.
hyzenthlay76's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly poignant, for a book about a brain in a tupperware container.