i wouldn't want to live there.
the Gormenghast trilogy is fantastic in the very best sense. the kingdom of Gormenghast is a monster and it is populated by monsters. the prose is lush and seductive, almost edible. the characters are at once comic, conniving, cruel and venial. this is the first of three of a unique trilogy of incredible depth and style. i strongly recommend this trade paperback edition of these novels over the omnibus volume as they hold together much better with repeated rereadings.