This book relies on a plot twist than when it finally arrives is neither surprising, or terribly well thought out. Stylistically it tries to use Venice as a way to disguise that it really doesn't have a lot to say.

Elderly and dying Cabalist, who has discovered how to use cabalism (though what he can do - we never really discover, oddly), tries to leave his legacy to the world. The world is fairly indifferent, and he fails. Which is really all that this amounts too.