Book Notes | ‘The Other Einstein’
The Other Einstein, a novel about the life of Albert Einstein’s first wife, Mileva Marić, is one of several works of historical fiction by the best-selling American author Marie Benedict. Marić was a brilliant scientist and mathematician. Benedict speculates that Marić contributed significantly to the papers and relativity theory that are attributed to Einstein.
The two met as classmates at Zurich Polytechnic School in 1896. Marić was one of the few female students at the school. Einstein, in Benedict’s telling, wheedles himself into the lives of the four female students living at a boarding house for young women. This slowly develops into a relationship with Marić, who helps him with his coursework. She finds herself in a love relationship with him.
Eventually, the romance results in a child born before their marriage. The pregnancy interferes with Marić finishing her degree. This prevents her from publishing her work as she lacks the credentials. Later, after they are married, Marić discovers that Einstein is having affairs. He is also taking her writing and publishing it with only his name. The marriage ends in divorce after Einstein writes conditions for them to continue living together that treat Marić like chattel.
The UMRA Book Club I group discussion was split between those who liked the book and members who do not like historical fiction because it is difficult to know what is fact and what is fiction. Some members also felt that the author spent too much time on the early years of the Einsteins and not on their later lives.
The book raises several questions: Instead of “Einstein’s theory of relativity” would it be more correct to state “Einsteins’ theory of relativity”? And, “Was the title of the book actually referring not to Einstein’ first wife but to the Albert Einstein few of us knew?”
— Mariah Snyder, UMRA Book Club I
Book Club I to meet March 15
Fri, Mar 15 2024, 2pm
Mariah Snyder will lead the discussion of The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict, a bestselling author of historical fiction, when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 15. The novel provides a look into the life of a brilliant woman whose contributions to Einstein’s theory of relativity were lost in the shadow of her husband’s scientific work.
Email Pat Tollefson at [email protected] for more information.
To read summaries of the book club’s discussions, go “Book Notes.”
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.