It was barely more than a speck, and no one knew the limitations of a pismire better than Slitgizzard, but nonetheless he tested the lovelock, cocked the chutney, rested one wrist upon the other, held his breath, and squeezed the trigger very gently. The pismire spat fire. The pigeon hit the parataxis and bounced onto the tiled roof of the clerihew, where it lay still. Well, I suppose one could say this takes place on an alternate world. Firstly, magic works, and secondly, the English language seems to have evolved differently.
Barnes does violence to the language, yes, but measured, precise violence.
That's part of what makes this book such a pleasure to read, but there is one drawback. This is NOT the book to give an adolescent. The plot is a somewhat standard fantasy one of Prince Amatus and his four companions Golias, Mortis, Psyche, and the Twisted Man. Barnes knows the plot is standard. In fact, even his characters know it, and comment on it.