The Etched City by KJ Bishop
Finished this now. Afterwards read a review that also did call it 'decadent'. For about 25% or so near the end it turned into an actual story. Not enough of a story though. Bishop's first novel. I would move onto others even if it wasn't though.

Now reading Paul Park. His depiction of the antinomials is the best I think I've ever seen of an alternate sentient species. One wonders if they're neanderthals, or some alternate universe where neanderthals didn't die out, but we don't know, and it's good not to. Are vegetarians a sort of just normal man? Or are they like dwarves? Not enough info to know and that's good. But extreme depth of antinomials different way of thinking/perceiving.