Thursday, January 13, 2011

Emily and Einstein-Linda Francis Lee

Emily and Einstein
Linda Francis Lee
St. Martin’s, Mar 1 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9780312382186

They seem to live the perfect lives on Manhattan’s Upper West Side; few obtain entrance let alone an apartment in the Dakota Building, but his family’s old money provided the key. Sandy Portman is a businessman while his lover Emily Barlow is a book editor.

Their idyllic life together ends in tragedy as Sandy dies after being hit by a car. Even before he is buried, Emily learns her marriage was based on lies. Besides being evicted from the Dakota, she learns the vast duplicity of the husband she cherished. Before she can consider closure, she needs the truth as to who Sandy Portman was. Adopting a mangy dog she names Einstein due to his high intelligence as her companion, Emily begins her odyssey unaware that the mutt at her side is Sandy who cannot move on in the after life without atoning for his sins with his beloved whose soul is shattered further by what she learns about him.

Emily and Einstein is an engaging redemption tale starring a remorseful spirit-canine and a grieving heroine. The linear story line is fun to follow though lacks any shockers. Mindful of Spielberg’s Always, fans will enjoy Sandy’s efforts to save Emily’s soul from the destruction he caused to her.

Harriet Klausner

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