Seagle's plot rests on a coincidence — a chance relationship between someone close to him and the historical Einstein — that some readers will find difficult to swallow. But the randomness of the universe is, after all, a theme of the book, and the author loads the page with wry humor and sharp, characterizing detail to flesh out a tale that might otherwise seem overdetermined.
It's this humor that turns a familiar "sex talk" scene between father and son, for example, into something fresh and strikingly funny, as Ted attempts to apply the rigorous logic he uses to plumb the secrets of the universe to the task of parenting a hormonal kid.
"Okay, listen," Ted says, "Here's the deal: I want you to masturbate."
"Done," says the boy.
"I mean exclusively. No sex with anyone until you're at least sixteen, because there's disease and pregnancy and ... And if you make this deal — do not tell your mother or sister I said this — but if you make it and honor it, when you turn sixteen, I will get you the used car of your choice."
"... Can we make it a new car?"
Comic Book Writer Steven Seagle June 9, 2004