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A review by bree_of_the_woods
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
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