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
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session. See that article for details.
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.