‘What people expect rarely happens. Things which seem impossible come to pass. It’s always been the way. The gods have the best seats in town, and we’re their favourite show.’

4.5 stars
Two unemployed potters in Syracuse (modern day Sicily), but who speak with colloquial Irish slang, put on a performance of Euripides’ plays using Athenian prisoners of war. Witty, funny and thoughtful, this is a great and unusual read about the human toll of epic wars, the power of theatre and universality of the human experience. I found the pacing of the novel a bit uneven which is why I didn’t give it 5 stars but would recommend you read this debut novel.

The scene is the island of Sicily during the Peloponnesian war.
The Syracusans are leaving their Athenian prisoners to die in a quarry
Out of boredom Lampo and Gelon, a couple of potters fond of wine and poetry wander down to the prisoners with a bit of food.
But ONLY if they can recite a bit of Euripides in return for a meal.
They soon decide to put on a production of Medea, just for kicks.
But even a simple play set up during this perilous time can be just as dangerous as a real war.
Friendships are tested, fights break out and all against the backdrop of what is really going on.
At times humorous and with a feeling of it being up to date but with a classical flavour this will appeal to those with a lovely of history and comedy too.

I had heard the stories of Athenians being set free if they could recite a Euripides speech during the Peleponesian war before picking this up so seeing that this is what the part of the premise was I was very keen!

I really liked the style of prose and the Irish colloquialisms mixed in. I definitely didn’t expect it but it was well done and flowed nicely.

The pacing was a little slow at times but I got through it pretty quickly and it didn’t bother me too much.

This was entertaining and well crafted, satisfying and sad.

I really enjoyed it overall and would highly recommend it!

Personally struggled with this one, just couldn’t get into it.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I can see why this has been getting so much hype and why it is so well-loved. This is a really interesting story set in ancient Syracuse which has an unusual premise and engaging writing. However, I found that I didn’t really like the narrator and this made it hard for me to become invested in the story or the plot. It ended up being a dnf for me around the 40% mark, but I haven’t given up on possibly going back to it in the future. I am sure most people picking it up will love it if they have a passing interest in the classical world and historical fiction, but it just wasn’t drawing me in. Obviously, I’m in the minority as I keep seeing rave reviews and it has also won the Waterstone’s debut fiction prize! If the main character had been more likeable, I’d have carried on with it but I didn’t fancy spending more time in his head.

I heard so many rave reviews about this book, literally having heard nothing but positive praise, however I can confirm that this is well deserved, it is an exceptional book that heralds a new era in writing. Excellent.

When books win awards and are almost universally adored, it is almost guaranteed that I will be the single (or one of few) dissenting voice and so it is with this novel. I disliked the Irish voice and vernacular. Not particularly because it was anachronistic, but because it smacked of a gimmick gratuitously used for novelty and to give the novel a stand-out quirkiness that for me seemed forced. I found it distracting and irritating. I also found the writing and the pace a little stodgy. The character of Lampo is initially so unpleasant it is hard to warm to him during his eventual redemption. I didn't wholly dislike the plot, as scant as it was, and at times I was able to get past my irritations and enjoy certain scenes/passages. And it did suggest some intriguing ideas on various topics, but they didn't really get too deeply explored, hindered by the slapstick quality that for me just didn't work. The ending was well done however and I loved the closing line.

[some spoilers follow] Based on a curious fact in Thucydides: while the defeated Athenians were being slowly starved to death in the quarries of Syracuse (~413 BCE), some Syracusans would occasionally give them food in return for their recitation of snatches of Athenian tragedies. From this, Lennon weaves the tale of Gelon and Lampo, two underemployed potters who convince the captive Athenians to mount a full-scale production of Medea and The Trojan Women (Euripides's newest), complete with costumes and scenery, in exchange for food. Gelon is the project's mastermind, and the one with the deepest affinity for poetry and art; Lampo is his simpler buddy, and our point-of-view character, bemused by Gelon's intensity but willing to help out. Glorious Exploits is, then, a fusion of "let's put on a show" and "art will save us all". To the extent that it is those things, it's both fun and a little predictable; its originality and power are contiguous with the extent to which it complicates and challenges those ideas. When the plays are finally staged, Lennon nails the complicated, queasy power of them, their spectacle, the visual punch of once-hated enemies delivering art that is first mocked, then surrendered to. (An especially effective touch on Gelon's part is the use of a Syracusan child to play Astyanax, whose murder is clearly visible to the audience; in Greek theatre, children were never seen on stage, and neither were deaths.) Syracuse turns out to see the plays, but violence breaks out and most of the actors end up murdered. The moral redemption of the two potters, of Syracuse itself, is measured in their willingness to smuggle the few remaining prisoners off the island, an undertaking which has little artistry and no adulation in it. For all that it's been lauded as a comic novel, I didn't actually find much in Glorious Exploits to laugh at—apart, perhaps, from the use of Irish accents for the Greek labourers and artisans amongst whom the novel is set—but it's got the tone and affect of a romp nonetheless, a sly, irreverent way of approaching material often thought of as forbidding. I'm quite glad it's won the Waterstones Debut Novel Prize.

This lived up to its title in that it was "glorious" and there were lots of exploits.

The narrator is Lampo, who is an unemployed Sicilian potter . The time period is 412 BC Sicily.

Athens has failed in its attempts to invade Sicily and there are many captive Athenian prisoners in a quarry.
Gelon, his friend, had always loved Greek Tragedy and comes up with the unlikely idea of staging Medea by Euripides in the quarry with the prisoners as the actors.

This was a refreshingly different book, not another retelling of Greek myths but a whole new spin. Gelon narrates in an Irish vernacular style (very vernacular in its use of swear words) Both main characters spring to life off the page as do the more minor characters.
There are genuinely moving moments too- a funeral pyre towards the beginning of the book. for example.

I had read this as it won the Waterstones Debut Novel prize originally. The sense of "duty" was quickly replaced by a real passion for this book, which was one of the most original I had read in some time.

This was an unexpected gem. Obviously the setting and plot outline piqued my interest enough to start reading but I wasn't prepared for how completely immersed and engaged I became.
I thought the choice to have the protagonists speak with Irish phrasing and rhythm was very effective, telling the reader much about the lads station in life and providing an immediate and warm connection to them. However outlandish the central premise may seem I was rooting for them throughout. The treatment of prisoners of war and the notion that Art can move and elevate Man even in the poorest of circumstances have me much food for thought. And I loved the ending! My favourite novel of 2024 so far.

A wonderfully told, witty and sad book about how the arts can bring together separate ideologies. Maybe we should learn a thing or two from it

Ferdia Lennon's Glorious Exploits masterfully connects past and present through the voices of two Irishmen, drawing parallels between their experiences and those of colonized peoples everywhere. Set in a war-torn, colonized city, the narrative subtly links Syracuse to Ireland, highlighting the timeless nature of conflict, oppression, and human nature. Lennon's tale underscores that the struggles of the past continue to echo in the present, reminding us that war, abuse, anger, and revenge persist. Yet, through art, we can bridge divides and recognize that the "other side" is often a reflection of ourselves. Lennon's storytelling is both powerful and poignant.

Glorious Exploits, is as is name suggests, a novel of oxymorons. And it works brilliantly.

Lennon takes an obscure, lesser known event from history and crafts something very special from it.

There’s moments of real bleakness and heartbreak pitted alongside moments of hope and tenderness. The world in which Lampo lives serves constant reminders of the brutal conflict and loss of the Peloponnesian wars. Yet the play he puts on with his friend, Gelon, becomes symbolic of hope and friendships, and the power of theatre.

Lennon infuses the novel with an Irish voice; creating an ancient world that feels modern and understandable. The result is historical fiction that has a contemporary edge, and is funny and authentic.

Glorious Exploits shines a light on classical history in a bold, fresh and contemporary way.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of the ARC.

Sometimes over hyped books are a disappointment... In this case, the hype is real. What a joy of a book! The Irish vernacular in ancient Syracuse shouldn't work, but actually REALLY does. Dialogue flows and at times is laugh out loud, but ultimately this is a Greek tragedy of brutal proportions. This has been my favourite book of 2024 and I really hope the author doesn't take 7 years to write his next!
Thank you #Netgalley for this ARC

Great historical read where the reader is both taken back to ancient Greece while also anchoring us in reality with the clever choice of language.

Ferdia Lennon's Glorious Exploits is a breath of fresh air in the realm of historical fiction. Set against the backdrop of the Peloponnesian War, this novel deftly blends ancient history with contemporary wit and verve.

The story follows a pair of unlikely heroes, Lampo and Gelon, as they navigate the complexities of war, friendship, and the power of storytelling. Lennon's masterful use of language brings these characters to life, their voices as authentic and engaging as if they were sitting beside you in your local pub. The novel's dialogue is sharp, witty, and often laugh-out-loud funny, a surprising counterpoint to the grim realities of war.

But Glorious Exploits is more than just a comedy. It's a poignant exploration of the human condition, examining themes of identity, morality, and the enduring power of art. Lennon's ability to seamlessly weave together humour, drama, and philosophical depth is truly remarkable.

The novel's unique perspective on the Athenian prisoners of war is both refreshing and thought-provoking. By focusing on the lives of these defeated soldiers, Lennon offers a compelling counter-narrative to the traditional heroic tales of war.

Glorious Exploits also stands out from the recent wave of historical retellings that often have a feminist slant (that I do adore, make no mistake) by offering a unique and refreshing perspective. Rather than focusing solely on female characters or reimagining historical events through a female lens, Lennon’s novel explores the male experience within a traditionally male-dominated historical context. By centring the narrative on two ordinary men caught up in extraordinary circumstances, the novel offers a comedic and thought-provoking commentary on masculinity, war, and the human condition.

Instead of challenging traditional gender roles head-on, Glorious Exploits subverts expectations through humour and character development, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.

Glorious Exploits is a captivating read that will leave you wanting more. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to transport readers to distant lands and times, while still speaking to the heart of the human experience.

Whether you're a history buff or simply looking for a thrilling and entertaining read, Glorious Exploits is sure to delight.

What a brilliant book; it had me laughing the whole way through!

Set in Sicily in 412 BC, the Athenian soldiers are being held in quarries. Lampo and Gelon decide that they want to put on one of Euripides plays and so enlist the soldiers to take on the roles of the characters, It was like reading a comedy of errors with Lampo and Gelon not being the best directors and making lots of crazy decisions, especially with money, but it made for great reading. I loved the sense of brotherhood and irony throughout but also learning a little about a part of history I knew nothing about. Really worth reading, a great book.

412 BC - The Peloponnesian war.
We are in Syracuse, and we follow Gelon and Lampo. Mostly Lampo.
Plot 4
Characterisation 4.5
Prose 4 (I loved the Irish voice!)
Mood 4.5

In some ways, this was the perfect-length read, but I also wanted to see more layers, and a slightly different take (deeper, consistent) on some the themes and statements it was dealing with/making. It was a funny read.

It’s bonkers, it’s brilliant, absolutely wonderful. I laughed, cried, shuddered, cheered. The characters, especially Lampy, simply jumped from the page and demanded attention. I never thought I would be so entertained by Euripides but this is one hell of a story.

I cannot put into words how much I enjoyed this book. Every time I read the story, I am entertained by the writing style and enjoy it. From the characters to the plot, everything about this was great.