The Other Einstein, Marie Benedict

 

People
Albert Einstein Parents – Hermann and Pauline Maja – younger sister   Mileva “Mitza” Maric Parents – Milos and Marija Two deceased siblings Two younger siblings   Lieserl – daughter, deceased in novel Hans Albert and Eduard - sons   Elsa – cousin, Einstein’s second wife	Mileva’s friends in boarding house: Ruzica Drazic – political science Milana Bota - psychology Helene Kaufler – history   Polytechnic physics classmates: Marcel Grossman Mr. Ehrat Mr. Khllors   Olympia Academy: Maurice Solovine - moved Conrad Habicht Paul Habicht – joined later   Marcel Grossman – new collaborator, took Mileva’s part in 1912   Marie Curie

 For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from paperback edition.

1.       Mileva’s father told her that “…brilliance brings burdens, doesn’t it” (page 88).  Her family moved to Zagreb in order for her to attend better schools.   Did she fulfill the responsibility her father was talking about?  What responsibility to do we have to nurture our talents?

2.       Should Einstein have been better able to read social cues?   Was it reasonable for him to invite himself to the musical evenings Mileva was having with her friends at the boarding house and to invite himself and bring along a friend when they had a day-long hike planned?

3.       Mileva went to Lake Como with Einstein before they were married and she became pregnant.  Given the time in history, why did she consider going?  Once there, why did consent to intimacy and thus became pregnant?

4.       Was it reasonable for her to think things would happen differently when Einstein became aware of the pregnancy?

5.       After Lieserl died and Mileva was pregnant again, Einstein said, “I’m happy about your news.  I’ve thought for some time that you needed a new little girl…” (page 211).   When she came back after Lieserl died and she was crying when entering the apartment in 1903, Einstein did not understand why she was sad.   Was he cold-hearted or just clueless?

6.       It turned out that it was Einstein who made the decision to remove Mileva’s name from the article about relativity that she co-authored with him and that led to the Nobel Prize.  Why did he decide to do that when the publishers did not ask him to do so?

7.       If Einstein did not recognize Mileva’s contributions to his research, why did he give her all the proceeds to future Nobel Prizes?

8.       Marie Curie had the life that Mileva had dreamed of having.  Marie Curie said to her, “You and I are not so different except for the choices we made…And the husbands we chose, of course” (page 288).  Do you think she, Curie, knew what had happened with Milvea’s research and contributions to Einstein’s success?

9.       Later, Marie Curie again said to Mileva, “You and I are not so different except in the choices we made.  And remind yourself that a new choice is always possible” (page 290).   While Mileva divorced Einstein and made a life of her own, she never got back into science except to tutor young women scientists.  Was it possible for her to reenter the field of science?   Would it be possible today?

10.   Mileva’s contributions started getting attention after the publication of early letters between her and Einstein.  If this is true, should she be recognized and how?

11.   This is historical fiction.   The disclaimer on the copyright page states, “The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious, or are used fictitiously.  Apart from well-known historical figures, any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.”  Does the writer have any obligation to go further when, clearly, many people and events are real?  Does the reader have any obligation to find out what is true?

12.   How well did the author explain the science in the story?