I really wanted to like this book.

Perhaps it is just me, but I think I hold writers of historical fiction to a different standard than other fiction writers. If a historical fiction writer is creating a story about real people (as opposed to creating fictionalized characters set during a specific era or historic event), then I expect that the big details about that real person's life will be correct. Otherwise, readers can come away with a view of history that is entirely incorrect. (This is one of the reasons I don't care for [a:Philippa Gregory|9987|Philippa Gregory|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1351685194p2/9987.jpg]'s work)

Benedict's novel carries a story line that isn't consistent with historical research (Her author's note is built on ideas like "maybe," "perhaps," and "we don't know.") Were the allegations true, it would be a whopper. A much more interesting book would have been to follow the true story of Mileva's life -- a brilliant scientist in her own right (the only female studying at the Zurich Polytechnic at the time Einstein was getting his degree) who had to give up her scientific ambitions when she became a mother.

Aside from my issues with the book's misrepresentation of the truth (yes! I do know this is fiction) the book was a bit of a slog to read. Far too much time was spent on Albert & Mileva's courtship, before getting to any interest or tension in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Marie Benedict empfindet in ihrem Roman das Leben von Milena Maric, der ersten Ehefrau von Albert Einstein, nach. Laut Anhang war der Briefwechsel zwischen Albert und Milena Basis für das Buch.

Der Schreibstil ist gefällig, der Roman hat wenige Längen. Dennoch kam mir Milenas Physikstudium zu kurz und auch wenn verbrieft ist, dass die Ehe unglücklich geendet hat empfinde ich hier das schwarz-weiß-zeichnen der Figuren auf der Basis von wenigen und nicht klar ausdifferenzierten Fakten schwierig.

Milena wird hier deutlich als Opfer des (narzistischen, bedeutungssüchtigen ?) Albert dargestellt. Der Roman endet mit dem Ende der Ehe, Alberts Emigration in die USA kommt nicht mehr zur Sprache.

Der Roman war nicht uninteressant, mir aber zu einseitig. ( )

Surprise Aug '17 EME from Shaunie. =)

Mitzi Maric has always been a little different from other girls. Most twenty-year-olds are wives by now, or studying physics at an elite Zurich university with only male students trying to outdo her clever calculations. But Mitzi is smart enough to know that, for her, math is an easier path than marriage. And then fellow student, Albert Einstein, takes an interest in her, and her world turns sideways. Theirs becomes a partnership of the mind and of the heart, but Albert proves to be less the man than she hoped he’d be. ( )

Mileva Maric has always been a little different from other girls. Mileva is smart enough to know that, for her, math is an easier path than marriage. And then fellow student Albert Einstein takes an interest in her, and the world turns sideways. Theirs becomes a partnership of the mind and of the heart, but there might not be room for more than one genius in a marriage.

This was a well-written fictionalized story that drew me in to the difficulties that Mileva encountered growing up since she didn’t fit in. Then being one of a very few women to enter the Polytechnic School to study physics, she had more obstacles as most me didn’t think she should be there. But that changed when she became friends with Albert and his friends and eventually married. The story is written believably as it shows how their relationship slowly falls apart. Interesting and enjoyable with many parts based on fact. ( )