If you want something that functions as demonstration of language, try THE WINTER QUEEN by Joan Vinge or anything from the End of Time trilogy by Mochael Moorcock (I'd recommend END OF ALL SONGS). Any of these are readily available at any used book store.
If you're feeling adventuresome, try something from GREAT EXPECTATIONS or NICHOLAS NICKLEBY. Again, very dense language, but a great performance piece.
"That duck was a sexual toy, and it was on display!" -- an unknown Nashville town leader