Sheer Hell. Europe, that is; Athens, Venice, Prague, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Cambridge, London - all of Europe, (Australia a bit hellish too); in fact, anywhere that human beings live, if they can be counted as human beings at all, especially if they are Jews, or Hebrews, as they are normally referred to in this novel. Europe, a stinking cesspool of the accumulated miasma of centuries - dead Europe, populated with ghouls, ghosts and vampires, all Jewish, all horrible. And as for the gentiles, not a lot better, murderous, perverted and superstitious.
Sheer Hell in another sense too, this book, hell to read, quite the most repulsive and vile content I think I have ever experienced. One scene of spectacular ghastliness was nominated for a Guardian Bad Sex award - I could think of any of a dozen others which could also have qualified.
Why on earth did I spend good money buying this book? That's another gripe. The sleeve notes give no real indication of the true content, instead quoting words of praise from the likes of Colm Toibin. You will find moderately positive reviews, although a trifle uncomfortable, from the quality newspapers. So maybe I have missed the point.
Why on earth did I waste time finishing this book? Sheer horrified fascination, perhaps, a forlorn wish that there might be some hope, something positive in the end. No matter, I have read it - you don't have to.