Our financier hero- I'm trying not to give too much away here- manipulates everyone who swims around him- including the leaders of the nations of Europe - into enabling his complicated business plans, whilst remaining largely uncorrupted by his wealth and power. His greatest sting- though hugely elaborate- never once stubs its toes against the cussedness of things in general or the unpredictability of the human animal.
I finished it and thought, "That's almost a great novel" and then thought again and riposted, "But it's a complete pack of lies."