Under Majordomo Minor, by Patrick DeWitt

A weird combination of fable and gothic novel, with a touch of comic book adventure thrown in to the mix, Under Majordomo Minor is a bit of a headfuck. In the first few chapters the overblown language, with multiple adjectives per sentence, is a tad tedious, but it either eases up or you get used to it and it becomes less of a bother. Our hero, dear reader, aimless 17-year-old Lucien Minor, leaves home and takes a job as under majordomo in a castle in another town. His adventures include falling in with thieves, falling in love and witnessing a violent orgy. A bizarre and fantastical ride, the reader remains in Lucy’s corner all the way, despite his many flaws.