Just as Anselm strived to prove God's existence through the ontological argument, so the characters in this novel fight to prove not only their existence, but their worth; Ovid Jenkins rides a motorcycle in search of anyone who knew his dead wife, so their stories might fill her life. Or is it his life that needs filling? Ned Jumper, a fictional character from a boy's adventure series, sits across from his last princess, captured by his last pygmies. But the ungrateful princess only mocks his ability to save them while daring him to show one human emotion. Meanwhile Butch Jumper, Ned's neglected brother, becomes more than a shadow the day Ned leaves, but must convince his father that he is real before earning approval.
Then there is The Lightning Artist, who chances upon Henry Ford and Thomas Edison as they caravan across America. Instead of drawing them he sketches a likeness that eerily depicts their dead friend peering from Ford's car. All these people and more, plus a talking dog named Moses, are converging on Centerville. And all of them are knowingly or unknowingly in search of self. Primary among the searching magi is the novel's narrator, son of the reclusive author who holed up in his attic to pen Ned Jumper into life. Trouble is, while living, Pops could never seem to inform his wife and son with such vitality. Will the son be able to accomplish this on his own? Or will he remained as cliched and lifeless as Ned's brother Butch?

Thomas Russell directs the writing program at the University of Memphis, where he holds a Dunavant Professorship.