If you have not read it yet, rush out and buy A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe.

A big novel in all senses of the word, weighing in at 742 pages in my edition. It is crafted with sizzling style. Try this for syllepsis:

"…long legs glistening with youth, lubricity and panty hose…"

The subject of the book is Charlie Croker, a bull-like Atlanta property developer. Larger than life, but sinking into financial trouble. He is summoned to a meeting with his bankers who tell him to start selling his assets to pay his massive debts. The scene features a clash of towering obnoxious egos.

At one point the ruthless banker asks Croker to leave the room as he and his colleagues need to cactus.

Croker can’t follow, and asks several times whether he really heard the word cactus. The banker assures him that he did say cactus, and asks again that Croker step outside.

"Are you trying to say caucus?" Croker was all but snarling.

"No, cactus" said the Artiste with a merry smile. "This time we want all the pricks on the outside." 

Magnificent.