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bree_of_the_woods's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
This book left me feeling conflicted. The story of Mileva is frustrating, and sad, with, obviously for those who know about the Einstein, no redemption. The crushing wave of events lined up against her life just make for a dark and sad story.
While obviously a novel, it’s still based on history, and it’s hard to sort through what is fictional and what is factual, without going & reading Albert & Mileva’s actual letters, which is what really leaves me at a loss of how to accept or rate this story. The authors writing style is excellent and I enjoyed the way she built and wove this story, even if her liberties may well have been overrreaching (or who knows, spot on?) due to lack of facts for foundation.
Either way I found it difficult, relating to Mileva as both a woman and a mother, as Albert continuously lets her down and devalues her, and her need to accept it because of the rules of society in her time. His actions and words are harmful at best, but often are horrific and made me very angry. Mileva goes through waves of strength, then self suppression, that are also tough to navigate as a modern woman. By the end, while she finally chooses to get away from his abuse, she’s still ultimately defeated by Albert, who as a reader we’ve learned to be completely disgusted by.
Again, sorting fact from fiction is tricky, as the author takes many liberties in the story of their lives — with so much fact lacking in our world as it is — and I’m left struggling with what I’ve read.
While obviously a novel, it’s still based on history, and it’s hard to sort through what is fictional and what is factual, without going & reading Albert & Mileva’s actual letters, which is what really leaves me at a loss of how to accept or rate this story. The authors writing style is excellent and I enjoyed the way she built and wove this story, even if her liberties may well have been overrreaching (or who knows, spot on?) due to lack of facts for foundation.
Either way I found it difficult, relating to Mileva as both a woman and a mother, as Albert continuously lets her down and devalues her, and her need to accept it because of the rules of society in her time. His actions and words are harmful at best, but often are horrific and made me very angry. Mileva goes through waves of strength, then self suppression, that are also tough to navigate as a modern woman. By the end, while she finally chooses to get away from his abuse, she’s still ultimately defeated by Albert, who as a reader we’ve learned to be completely disgusted by.
Again, sorting fact from fiction is tricky, as the author takes many liberties in the story of their lives — with so much fact lacking in our world as it is — and I’m left struggling with what I’ve read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Child death
katisreading's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book made me SAD and mad. No reflection on the author, entirely based on the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
petitestory's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Domestic abuse
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a really well-researched solid book. I love when I can tell that an author was a huge nerd about something. This really made me think about how often we pretend that men achieve success by themselves, when they so frequently have a partner making their lives 100 times easier by taking care of all of the minutiae.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Blood, and Gaslighting
Minor: Antisemitism
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I greatly appreciate stories about the women behind "great" men because women are so often overlooked, discounted, and mistreated, especially the further one looks back in history. These women deserve to be valued and respected, even if they never got acclaim in their lifetimes.
That being said, the book is quite boring and sad. It took me over a month to finish reading because nothing much happens except for fictionalized accounts of Mileva Marić's inner thoughts and feelings. It's a shame she didn't get to be more than a dutiful wife and mother. I appreciate the author's goal, but it didn't earn a place on my bookshelf.
That being said, the book is quite boring and sad. It took me over a month to finish reading because nothing much happens except for fictionalized accounts of Mileva Marić's inner thoughts and feelings. It's a shame she didn't get to be more than a dutiful wife and mother. I appreciate the author's goal, but it didn't earn a place on my bookshelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Antisemitism, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
Minor: Physical abuse
angelaf's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
If you enjoy books that reveal the unknown history of sidelined women, The Other Einstein is for you. In it, the author explores the life of Mileva Maric, Albert Einstein's first wife, an accomplished mathematician and physicist in her own right, who may have contributed substantially to his work yet denied her place in history. Read if you enjoy: unknown history, strong female characters, history of science, academic settings
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Minor: Domestic abuse
rillastone's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child death