Dog of a husband reincarnated as canine in ‘Emily and Einstein’

For some women, their husbands only seem like dogs — for Emily Portman, her husband might actually be a dog.

In the smart, lively and often hilarious novel “Emily and Einstein,” best-selling author Linda Francis Lee asks the question “What would you do if you could change things in your life after you’re gone?”

On his way to tell his wife, Emily, that he wants to leave her to pursue various selfish pursuits, rich, handsome and entirely shallow Sandy Portman meets his Maker — literally — when he is killed in a freak snow-related accident. But before Sandy can go on to the Hereafter, he is informed that he has to take care of a few unresolved issues here on Earth. Only one  problem — to get into the pearly gates, Sandy has to repent his ways. As a dog.

Emily Portman is devastated over the loss of her beloved husband and finds solace to her grief in the form of a mangy mutt she rescues and christens Einstein, for his shaggy hairdo. The little dog seems to be able to sense Emily’s emotions, sometimes eerily so — which stands to reason since Einstein is actually her husband reincarnated as he attempts to atone for his misdeeds.

As “Einstein,” Sandy finds himself offering far more support to his wife than he ever managed during his two-legged existence, and his newly introverted company allows Emily the space she needs to overcome the plethora of challenges she finds herself facing upon Sandy’s death — a home ownership battle with her in-laws, a career derailment, plus issues relating to her own identity and her relationship with her mother and sister.

But as Emily begins to grow stronger and more self-assured, Einstein finds himself fading away. Will Emily realize her new canine companion’s true identity in time to help him pass over into his next adventure before it’s too late?

In addition to crafting a delightful story that is told in alternating perspectives — through Sandy’s newly canine eyes and through Emily’s human ones — Lee gives her readers a chance to reflect upon issues of not only the sad topics of grief and loss, but also the empowerment of self-reflection and growth.

“Emily and Einstein” would make a great book to savor over a long weekend or to save for the upcoming summer reading days.