The Infinities by John Banville is a deeply strange mix of genres. It has science fiction, mythology and the fractured family genre that is so popular in mainstream fiction. It had received some rave reviews and Banville is considered one of the better writers around (at least according the the awards he’s been nominated for and has won). But I’m still not completely sure what the story is really about. It’s an interesting book that lives on it’s characters because the plot is minimal to none. So, what is this cross-genre book about?

Adam Godley is a mathematician who is spoken of in the same breath as Newton and Einstein. He restructured physics and mathematics while in his early 20s, but his personal life was a mess. His first wife, Dorothy, committed suicide and his second wife, Ursula, is a drunk. His son, Adam, is a big goofy guy who’s not well liked by his father. The daughter, Petra, is a closet cutter who is spending her life cataloging all the fatal diseases (she’s almost done with the A’s). When Adam (the father) has a stroke and is lying in bed dying, the family gathers. Adam, and his prickly actress wife Helen, and Petra come home along with a couple old family friends.

When Zeus comes down, with Hermes, because he has an interest in young Helen. The dying Adam and the family dog are the only ones who suspect that the gods are interested. And in this alternate universe, where Adam’s math has helped overturn relativity and evolution, the Gods still exist and are interested in interacting with humans. Loosely based on Heinrich von Kleist’s Amphitryon, The Infinities is about the relationship between man and the infinite. Adam Godley has spent his whole life working on the infinite of math and, as his finite life seeps away, he starts realizing what the effect on his family is.

Narrated by Hermes, Adam, the dog and a few other cast members, the entire story takes place over a single day with Adam lying in bed dying. The Gods show up and use their infinite powers to mess up with the life of the Godleys, but the finite family is able to fight back and survive, as people do. Overall it’s a wonderful book, but if you are looking for something with a lot of plot or action, this isn’t the book for you. If you like a story that is more contemplative and slow moving, then read and enjoy. Recommended.