Gormenghast

In the second novel, Gormenghast (1950), Titus grows up, feels the weight of duty and expectation, desires anonymity. In this novel, Titus swirls the characters -- or, maybe, actually Steerpike does -- while the titular character, the castle, feels as alive and nuanced as any of the many scene-stealing characters.

See Titus Groan for full review.