Emily and Einstein

A Novel of Second Chances

By: Linda Francis Lee

Narrated by: Dan John Miller, Cassandra Campbell

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

He was a man who didn’t deserve a second chance... but he needed one. Emily and her husband, Sandy Portman, seemed to live a gracious if busy life in an old-world, Upper West Side apartment in the famous Dakota building. But one night on the way to meet Emily, Sandy dies in a tragic accident. The funeral isn't even over before Emily learns she is on the verge of being evicted from their apartment. But worse than the possibility of losing her home, Emily is stunned when she discovers that her marriage was made up of lies.

Suddenly, Emily is forced on a journey to find out who her husband really was... all the while feeling that somehow he isn't really gone. And what if he isn't?

Angry, hurt, and sometimes betrayed by loving memories of the man she lost, Emily finds comfort in a scruffy dog named Einstein. But is Einstein's seemingly odd determination that she save herself enough to make Emily confront her own past? Can he help her find a future - even after she meets a new man?

©2011 Linda Francis Lee (P)2011 Tantor

Well-written, kept my attention

This is no Devil in the Junior League, nothing like that, which I loved, loved, and have been checking back to see when Ms. Lee would put something else out. I have listened and/or read her other books, so used one of my credits on this book. I think, myself, of having no knowledge of how a book is published, what editors do, et cetera, was one of the most interesting points of this book, i.e., getting a "good" book supported. Really and truly, enjoyable listen, good story.

All kinds of things woven in the relationships among the characters in this book.

Thought Provoking

Would you listen to Emily and Einstein again? Why?

I have so many titles in my library and perhaps I should go back and begin to listen to them all again. Would this be on the top of my begin again list? Well no, it isn't "The Pillars Of The Earth", but I truly enjoyed the many layers of this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Emily and Einstein?

When the dog was telling his part of the story.

Which scene was your favorite?

Each time Einstein the dog had to "reevaluate" his thinking in order to "not fade away."

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Being an extreme dog lover, it made me both laugh and cry. The idea that a man in a dog's body can better understand his human nature and fix his flaws is genius!

Delightful!

A quirky, delightful listen with excellent narrators!!! Totally entertaining. Do not hesitate to buy this one.

Second chances

Nice little story about second chances. My male friend is always telling me I am too nice. I have always thought I was just doing the right thing. Think I will just keep being me and maybe I will not have to come back in any reincarnation. On the other hand he will come back as a jack ass if life is fair.

Nice story, endearing main character

I really enjoyed the story and characters and found myself looking forward to getting in the car to listen more. (And even sat long after arrival to finish a chapter.). I have mixed feelings on the audio performance, but overall would recommend the book, and would read more from this author.

You'll listen again, well worth the credit.

I do not easily hand out a five star review, especially in all categories. This gem of a book is incredible. Linda Francis Lee has yet to disappoint me and this book is no exception. The narrator's are amazing and the story is so sweet. Einstein is hilarious especially when told through Emily's perspective. This is a story of losing yourself or simply not being true to yourself, as well as what it takes to find yourself again. I highly recommend this book. This isn't a book you need tissues for but it will touch your heart. At the end I felt inspired and even re-listened to the last two hours because it is really wonderful how the characters arch. We done Linda!

Blend of fantasy and reality is good!

This story took me a little time to get into b/c the guy was such a bleep!! But I liked Emily and wanted her to win and so became "pulled in" and able to get thru the guy bleep part. The story was good and I do recommend it! The readers did a very good job!!

Fun and Entertaining

Emily is a sweetheart, happy and waiting for her husband, Sandy Portman to arrive after work. He made a point to tell her he would be home after work so she happily prepared his favorite meal in anticipation. Unfortunately, on his way home to meet Emily, Sandy was struck and killed in a tragic accident. Before the funeral was even over she received the shocking news that her in-laws were making plans to evict her from her Upper West Side apartment in the famous Dakota building. But nothing was more devastating than slowly uncovering the truth that she never knew Sandy at all, that her entire marriage with him was made up of lies.

*** I originally picked up this audiobook at the suggestion and praise of a friend, who being a dog person like myself, thought I would find it a wonderful audiobook. Naturally, the dog on the cover also helped me to make the selection.

I didn’t know quite what I was expecting, but it was quite a journey that Emily took in discovering a lot about herself and the man she had been in love with. Suffice it to say that I found myself not liking Sandy Portman very much at first, although he did begin to grow on me after he began to understand himself after he was given a second chance at life.

During her grieving, Emily found some comfort in the adoption of Einstein, a rather scruffy looking dog at the pound which Emily had been volunteering at. Through the caring of Einstein, Emily could sob all her heartache out, and it almost seemed as if Einstein understood all that she was going through. As it turned out, by taking Einstein out to the doggy park Emily meets a very handsome and gorgeous young man. A young man Emily tried her best to smother her budding interest in only to find that they were actually neighbors in the Dakota.

Bottom line: EMILY & EINSTEIN was a delightful story both emotional and touching, with several laugh out loud moments coming from Einstein. Fun and very entertaining.

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

Easy Listen

If you could sum up Emily and Einstein in three words, what would they be?

pleasant, pedantic,

What did you like best about this story?

So this isn't great literature, but it is a pleasant story that has a nice ending that is about what you would expect. I found it very relaxing.

What a great story!!

I have read a few of Ms. Lee’s books. She is such a wonderful story teller. There were a few times that I wondered which route the story would take. I love when I’m surprised.