I originally read the paperback in my late teens. I don't even remember if I bought it or recieved it as a gift. All I remember is the first section with mutants and buried ancient human tech.

There is now an audible plus catalogue version with an introduction by Neal Gaiman that helped allot with understanding what Delany was going, nad being 47 with betting English and much more knowledge I was able to get much more out of The Einstein Intersection.
However I was still confused at the end.

I'm less confused after listening to Luke Burrages review of the Novel on the Science Book Review Podcast, Episode SFBRP#476.