The Other Einstein: A Novel

Although this is a fictional account of actual events, I found it quite illuminating. I didn't know Einstein' s first wife had such an impact on his discoveries or hers. It also depicts a time in history where women were expected to know their place and defer to their husbands. In that sense, this is definitely a piece of historical fiction...a very enlightening one at that.

Women have been pushed out of history so many times. I am glad at least now we are hearing about them and we can study them and their contributions to history. I will definitely read The Einstein Papers.

The book showed the position women held at the beginning of the last century. Even though the main character was a brilliant physicist, it was unthinkable to her Partner, Einstein, that her name was placed, and she given credit for her work on their research paper. Women have come quite a long way, but we have further to go.

I thought it most interesting to know that Einstein had a wife who was equally, if not more, brilliant than he was. It was a shame she was born in a time when she could shine through on her own. I would like to know more about her. And how she fared after finally making a decision to be herself.

The premise that the “other” Einstein might have been the true genius in the relationship was fascinating. Considering that most of Einstein’s most significant work was done in that period of time lends credence to the idea.

Although historical fiction, this gives us a glimpse into life and love with an unpredictable and brilliant spouse in a time when things were very different for women and the families that lived and sacrificed for them. Amazing read.

Interesting read about their lives. Obviously. It knowing one thing about physics I don't understand why anyone needs to know all of that stuff. I hope he was not the miserable man this book makes him out to be

The members of our reading group found "The Other Einstein" interesting, readable and well written. Women have had a difficult time pursuing their dreams and this was truly apparent in this novel. This is a good read for readers of all ages.

I was inspired to start this book from an episode of Legends of Tomorrow where Mileva plays a central role. I had never heard of this woman before and was fascinated to learn that she might have played such a central role in Einstein's theories and fame. Books about obscure historical figures, especially female ones, always interest me. I was excited to start this one.

The heart of this novel is this amazing woman who had so much potential yet got lost to history. I feel she's a prime example of how women have gotten lost in the shuffle of possible famous historical figures, smothered in the achievements of the men in their lives. She had so much to give and unfortunately was not given the credit she was due.

Yet part of the problem I feel was her. I don't know if historically her personality had any basis in fact. However as portrayed in this work, I can see why history forgot her. She started out strong, with dreams as large as the world and the guts to pursue those dreams with all of her being. She faced down family condemnation, societal blocks, and physical limitations to pursue a degree and a dream of making a name for herself in the intellectual world.

Once she hooked up with Albert romantically however, it seems like her dreams, personality, and needs became subsumed by his. It didn't happen all at once but gradually. By the time we approached the end of the book, she finally drew the line in the sand and struck out on her own.

However, the journey to that decision was painful. I watched this woman I had grown to admire make herself subservient and a second-class citizen to her own husband. She put his needs above her own so many times that she lost track of what she actually wanted. She put her trust in him again and again, never learning the lesson once he betrayed her over and over. At least by the end, she found her spine and stood up to Albert once his demands reached a certain unbelievable level. By the books send, I admired her again.

Now Albert... that's a figure that's interesting in this book, whether it's in the fashion of an admirable figure in science or a douche bag on the level of Hitler is up to the individual reader. If even a quarter of what he did in this book really happened, I have to question the level of admiration given to him by history.

I do know for a fact that the list presented to Mileva at the end of the book did happen; that alone makes me distain him as a human being. But throughout the entire book he treats Mileva horribly. He steals her ideas, cheats on her, physically and emotionally abuses her, and threaten the lives of her and his children for his ego. At least I can say the author shows her skill at characterization by making such an icon of scientific history so ultimately flawed as a human.

I think that’s what can be taken away from this book and what makes it such a gem. The author’s skill at making her characters so flawed and unlikable yet making us root for them all the same takes serious characterization chops. Even though I hate Albert as a person, his brilliance and charisma still stand out. And Mileva… the crap that woman went through, partly what she allowed herself to go through, shaped her into a person that at the end I could admire and root for. The character journeys portrayed in this book are its heart and soul.

To me, this book was about Mileva as a person and historical figure. I feel the world lost out on a treasure once she hooked up with Mr. Douche-bag. The author takes the reader on emotional character journeys that leave you gasping and heart-wrenched. Whether you grow to love or hate Mileva and Albert, at least through this work, they still touch you in a deeply emotional way, right to your soul. I highly recommend this work to anyone looking for an incredible character journey or who enjoy obscure historical figures.

Ms. Benedict has written an enthralling and informative book that has brought Einstein's first wife, Mileva Maric, to life. My curiosity is piqued and I will be reading more about this remarkable woman in the future.

Really enlightening reading the other side of the 'story' while watching Genius I became very annoyed with Einstein's self centeredness! Feel great compassion for his wife, didn't think he treated her with respect .

A compelling story that emphasizes the truth about how women were negated during those times of great achievement and discovery. How many other women married to world famous inventors, philosophers, teachers, historians, could tell a similar story?

I already knew that Mileva was considered more intelligent than Albert. This book was depressing and I would have like to have seen more about what happened after she left Albert. It is sad that woman and their intellect have been so marginalized by men for centuries. Reading chapter after chapter of how he marginalized her got old pretty fast.

Great easy read. The writing is both captivating and thought provoking. The topic lead to some great discussions about the role women have historically played in careers of science and math related fields. Forced me to look up the facts of the actual story and I found much of the facts in the book to be true. Enjoyed this book and found it an easy fast read.

The Other Einstein is a fictionalized account of the relationship between Mitza Maric and Albert Einstein. A brilliant mathematician and scientist, Mitza turned away from a promising future to become the first Mrs. Albert Einstein.

I read this to fulfill the prompt of “ A novel based on a real person “ for the 2018 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge.

While Mitza was a real person, and many of the pivotal events in the novel are based on actual events, a lot is supposition and speculation. These events—even the entirely fictionalized ones—are what makes the book special. But there are far more things that detract from it.

The romance and the way the author chose to tell it were BORING. Literally, you could take any tale of a woman conflicted between a man and a career and insert the names of famous people as the characters and the result would be the bulk of this book.

I really wanted to like this more. I wanted to feel more for this woman that was overshadowed by her spouse due to cultural expectations (not entirely uncommon even now, over a century later). Instead I felt she consistently made bad choices, and I constantly wanted to ask, “Well, what did you THINK would happen?”

Overall, I found it disappointing and lacking. It was a generic doomed romance with the names of famous people attached. That’s all.

2 out of 5 stars.

I enjoy following the author into history and catching a glimpse of what could have transpired between people who had such great influence. Relationships are complex, especially between spouses who are also scientist dealing with important theories and public acclaim. A great read.

Amazing piece of historical fiction. The author did her fair share of research and the story is extremely well written. It will end with you wondering about the real Mrs. Einstein. Was she cheated out of famed work? A must read.

I started reading this, as a library ebook, when almost halfway through it expired (I read several books at one time) I had to purchase it because I couldn't bear to be wait listed to find out what transpired. I am not easy to please either. I have dropped many a book halfway through.

Very authentic to the time period. Eyes opening. The women rights issue emphasized boldly throughout the book. Makes you rethink what you think about original Einstein.
The only problem I see that the reader doesn't know if the whole relationship between the two is real and authentic for good and for bad, or it's the writer's imagination.