In a spa hotel in an unnamed country in Northern Europe, 78-year-old Haffner is on a mission. He is attempting to escape from his various love affairs and his family and also to reclaim his ex-wife's property confiscated by the Nazis. This novel is an unusual mixture of very stylish and clever writing interspersed with classical allusions and quotations mixed with some voyeuristic and comical sex scenes. An entertaining and funny read.