421 bce and the great Athenian conquest of Sicily has failed. Now the remnants of the army are kept confined in a quarry outside Syracuse and are starving to death. Gelon, an unemployed potter, is a Euripides obsessive and decides to put on a performance of Medea for the people of his city with a cast drawn from the prisoners. He encourages his best friend Lampo to assist him alongside a backer in the form of mysterious merchant Tuireann and the help of the local children. Lampo, meanwhile, has fallen for the slave of a bar owner and he is desperately trying to raise the money to buy her freedom.
I am often skeptical of books which have received such glowing reviews as this one but I was more than pleasantly surprised here. I loved the passion for Euripides and the knowledge of classical Greek civilisation and cultural - that should make the reader think that they are going to be reading a worthy and intellectual book. That's not to say that this isn't, but it wears it's learning hidden in plain sight. What is on the surface is a madcap plot, written in modern Irish idiom and populated by engaging characters. Fabulous at every level.

What a refreshing take on this popular genre. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, as it was just that little bit different to the usual historical tales. Yes, there are some tough passages, but they just serve to highlight the reality in the story. Well worth recommending.

I’ve seen people comment that this is the book you didn’t know you needed in your life and I whole heartedly agree. Set in Syracuse, Sicily, during the Peloponnesian War it is so unique and idiosyncratic, unlike anything I’ve read recently. Yes, you’re thinking here’s another book set in the Ancient Greek world but you’ll be wrong assuming you’ve read something like this before.

The Athenians have been defeated and are being held captive in a quarry on the outskirts of town and our narrator Lampo and his friend Galon decide they will use the prisoners to put on some of their favourite Euripides tragedies. What ensues is both horrendous and laugh out loud funny. The plot is simple and uncomplicated, leaving wide open spaces for such entertaining characterisation. Granted it is written in the Irish vehicular so I’m not sure how the wider audience will receive it but I’m excited to read other reviews.

Lampo, our narrator is an outrageous character, someone to love and hate in equal measure and yet for all his bravado and crassness his capacity to love his fellow man is cathartic. And that’s its message, its themes, brotherhood, respect, putting yourself on the line for nothing more than the connection you feel for another. Hats off to you Mr Lennon, I do believe you’ve introduced Euripides to a whole new market.

Well done, an absolute banger!

Thank you to the author, @netgalley and @vikingbooksuk for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Glorious Exploits published Jan 18th, 2024

What an unsusual read this was. I love historical fiction, but knew little about the background to Athenian attacks on Syracuse.

This book is both comically crude and heartbreakingly compassionate at the same time. Lampo and Gelon have big dreams which require the cooperation of the Athenian prisoners in the Syracusian quarry. Initially it reminded me of the TV programme, Plebs, but the novel has darker elements in it. Conditions in the quarry are extremely harsh and bringing their dream to reality seems to be jut a pipe-dream. Somehow, Lampo and Gelon, against all odds, raise enough money to bribe guards, feed the prisoners and put on a unique production, which ends in a dramatic way.

However, along the way - Lampo develops a filial affection for one of the actors and the book takes a turn from comedy to thriller as he plots a way to help his friend escape from the quarry.

I think this would make a great movie! It was an entertaining, though slightly unbelievable read.

It’s hard to know how to describe Glorious Exploits, which mashes up an ancient Roman setting (412BC) with modern Irish vernacular and - somehow, incredibly- this actually works.

Following two down-at-heel labourers on the island of Sicily who, during the Peloponnese War, take it upon themselves to stage Euripides’ Medea using Athenian prisoners of war, reading it is a bonkers experience but great fun.

For some reason I found this book very difficult to get into. The narrator, Lampo, struck me as quite annoying, thoughtless and sometimes cruel, so I didn't always enjoy spending time with him. The subject matter is tough too, with quite a bit of death, starvation and general nastiness.

I tried listening to the audiobook version available at my local library and found that easier to get on with. The author Ferdia Lennon read it himself and I found the Irish vernacular very natural in his voice.

It was definitely more of a tragedy than a comedy for me, not a lot of laughs. Two and a half stars, rounded up.

An interesting look at the aftermath of an Athenthian invasion of Sicily, it turned out to be more than I thought though going into more difficult themes along the way and the author really conveys a sense of place and fleshes out some curious characters! It's a unique angle and nothing like I've ever read before.

Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon should not work at all but it absolutely does. Set in Sicily in 412BC but littered with vernacular from modern Ireland, when I first started reading the dialogue in this book I was like “what is going on?!”, however it quickly becomes the norm and is suited to the characters’ personalities.

Set in Syracuse, Sicily, during the Peloponnesian War
(412 BC), this story is centered around Lampo and his friend Galon, who decide to make use of the Athenian prisoners who are being held captive in a local quarry, and have them act in a play that the duo want to stage. What follows is a lot of humour, a bit of a love story, and a terrible tragedy. The writing in this book is very accessible, and with a simple story I would almost call this YA if it weren’t for all the cursing throughout. I loved Lampo, our narrator and protagonist, and his sense of humour and wit drives the story from start to finish.

Congrats to first time author @ferdialennon for making a story set so long ago seem so contemporary and relatable.

Thank you to @penguinfigtree for the advanced copy of this book via @netgalley . Glorious Exploits is out now!

"Glorious Exploits" by Ferdia Lennon takes readers back to 412 BC, offering a unique perspective on Athens' failed invasion of Sicily. Lampo and Gelon, penniless potters, devise an audacious plan to stage a performance of Euripides' "Medea" in the quarry where Athenian soldiers are held captive. Lennon's writing, though initially challenging to immerse into, proves distinctive with Lampo's authentic, crude, and hilarious narration, enriched by an Irish-pattered dialogue.

This atypical historical novel doesn't demand prior knowledge of ancient history, making it accessible to all. Lampo's narrative voice is a delight, capturing the essence of the characters and the era. The book, described as madly ambitious, cathartic, and shockingly funny, successfully blends brutality, humor, and horror. Lampo and Gelon's characters, along with the introduction of Euripides' work to a new audience, contribute to a vibrant and real narrative. Despite the initial challenge in getting accustomed to the tone, "Glorious Exploits" emerges as a four-star read, offering a compelling and entertaining journey into a unique historical setting.

What an absolutely brilliant book! There's been a fair bit of historic fiction focusing on Greek legends in recent years but none as utterly original as this. I know nothing about Euripides or the Peloponnesion War but it didn't interfere a jot with my enjoyment of this book.

Essentially the story is about two Syracusian potters, Gelon and Lampo who decide to put on a performance of Medea and The Trojan Women using imprisoned, half-starved, near-dead Athenian prisoners as their cast, Is the language and turn of phrase authentic to the time period? Probably not but actually that's what makes it so enjoyable and accessible. The two central characters, Gelon and Lampo (especially Lampo) are so vividly brought to life and feel just like any two eejits you might know from your own town - big dreams, all talk and underneath the bluff and bluster a good(ish) heart.

But amidst the humour and vitality of Ferdia Lennon's story-telling, there's darkness and violence and a profoundly, moving commentary on the ugliness of revenge and on how easy it is to close your eyes to the horrors and traumas of those suffering on the other side of a wall. Gelon and Lampo aren't just directing the performance of a Greek Tragedy, they're living through one.

It's an amazing book and i'm already completely confident it'll be one of my favourite reads of 2024.

With thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Set in Syracuse in the aftermath of the Peloponnese wars, this debut novel is an enjoyable story of hope and joy. Attacked by Athens, the Spartan-allied Syracuse has defeated the Athenians and is left with 7000 prisoners of war to deal with. The solution? Hold them all in the many available disused quarries and let them rot in the relentless summer heat. There are nominal guards, but for a few coins or a skin of wine they will let in any Syracusean who wants to enter, for whatever purpose. Two such visitors are Lampo and Gelon, unemployed potters who choose a quarry every day and go and feed some prisoners.

The story is told by Lampo, and centres on a crazy scheme dreamt up by the poetry-loving Gelon to put on a Euripides double-bill in the quarry with parts played by any Athenians who might remember enough lines from Medea and The Women of Troy.

As a narrator, Lampo is a fine device. He is an illiterate unemployed potter, apparently not especially well liked in his community but with a staunch friend in the poetry-loving Gelon. Lampo comes across as a fairly amoral pragmatist, sporadically charming but mostly not, a bit quarrelsome, not especially perceptive, a wheeler dealer with little impulse control. But as the story progresses it turns out he does have a heart, albeit a somewhat selective one. Our first glimpse of this comes in his first encounter with an Athenian prisoner called Paches, whose life he saves from a fellow Syracusean who is in the process of beating him to a pulp, having already killed his close companion.

There is a lot to like about this debut - it has a big heart, it's an interesting story, and the main characters, while not precisely likeable, certainly sweep you along with their mad plans as they find a dubious funder for their enterprise, source props for the play, and finally manage to spring a good number of more-than-half-dead Athenians from the quarry. At the beginning, one thing really jarred for me to the extent that I considered not finishing the book - the fact that colloquial working-class Sicilian as spoken by Lampo sounded far too much like cliched salt-of-the-earth Oirish in this imagining. But as I got caught up in the story this bothered me less and less. This is an assured and enjoyable tale and is highly recommended.

Glorious Exploits is a book that, at first glance, you might think is simply a humorous tale. It’s a historical novel set during the Peloponnesian War. So far, so normal. But it’s told in a contemporary Irish dialect. You might not expect this to work, but Ferdia Lennon manages it deftly.

I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say this is a tragicomedy (it’s compared to Waiting for Godot, after all), and it’s one where the tragic elements of it creep up on you. In fact, in general, a lot of this book creeps up on you. I read this thinking perhaps I hadn’t connected so much emotionally with it (while still enjoying it a lot!), only to find that the end came like a gut punch. Lampo and Gelon, and the cast that surrounds them, are characters that sink their hooks into you when you least expect it.

Plot-wise, this book hasn’t a huge amount: it’s about two characters’ desire to put on two of Euripides’ plays, except they don’t have a script and the only actors they might find who already know the plays (or parts of) are… a group of captive Athenians, enemies of Syracuse, who are kept starving in a quarry, since no one knows what to do with them. It’s a character-driven plot that still manages to contain some slightly wild and surprising elements, one that keeps you on your toes and, even as its tragic nature is slowly revealed, has you wishing for a happy ending.

But above all, this is a story about stories and how their telling connects across cultures. The Syracusans and Athenians are enemies, the latter the sufferers of a shock defeat and, throughout Syracuse, reviled. Euripides, though, brings them together against all odds, and against the expectations of Lampo and Gelon themselves.

Frankly, then, this is a book you don’t want to miss out on. It feels like one of the freshest and most creative of recent releases, and I can only hope Ferdia Lennon has a lot more to come.

Fresh, quirky and shocking exploration of the aftermath of an Athenian invasion of Sicily.. It's an ambitious book that didn't quite grip me as much as I wanted, but the story of Lampo and his friend Gelon is well-told and explores many issues you might think follow a war and plenty you might not.

The characters are many and so maybe aren't explored as in-depth as they could be, and it's difficult to like any of them, although that might be due to the difficult circumstances that are explored through the novel. The mysterious producer and his ship-bound god, the slave-owning landlord and the hapless potters that are at the centre of the story make for an interesting tale but I just found it lacking an emotional connection for me, although it does have its moments.

Upon coming across the cover of "Glorious Exploits" by Ferdia Lennon and reading the blurb, I was initially filled with excitement. The combination of Theatre and Greek History, two subjects close to my heart, instantly caught my attention.

In the book, Lennon transports us to the backdrop of Syracuse, where the main characters Gelon and Lampo find themselves facing unemployment and financial instability. Determined not to lose hope, they come up with an unconventional idea of staging Greek Tragedy shows in the city's quarries, housing Athenian prisoners. Despite their limited resources and lack of theatre experience, Gelon and Lampo courageously embark on bringing their ambitious dream to life, presenting "Medea" and Euripides' lesser-known play, "The Trojan Women."

Lennon's writing style weaves elements of dark humour and humanity into the narrative, offering glimpses of ancient Syracuse and the arduous journey of Gelon and Lampo. Their friendship becomes the heart of the story, providing a relatable anchor amidst the challenges they face. While tragedy, tenderness, and comedy are skilfully blended, there were moments when Lampo's perspective felt slightly disconnected, and the romance plot lacked excitement.

"Glory Exploits" does a commendable job of depicting the struggles of Gelon and Lampo as they navigate a world of inequality. Their relentless pursuit of art through Greek Tragedy serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the profound impact of artistic expression. However, there are instances where the novel contradicts its own message about finding dignity in the face of adversity.

As a debut novel, Ferdia Lennon's "Glorious Exploits" may not receive the highest accolades, but its honest portrayal of friendship and human aspiration makes it a worthwhile read.

One for the ancient history & theatre fans... Or indeed fans of great books in general! 🏛️✨

🏺 'Glorious Exploits' by Ferdia Lennon is set in ancient Sicily in the 5th Century BC. It's about Lampo and Gelon, who have lost their jobs at the pottery factory. They do what any sane blokes would do in this situation: decide to put on a theatrical production of 'Medea' using some Athenian prisoners as their actors.

✨ I absolutely loved this! Lampo narrates it and he's so funny (often you're laughing at him rather than with him)! He's not particularly successful or clever, and is fully aware of both of these facts. Sometimes you're reading his observations and just internally screaming 'LAMPO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!'

🎭 It felt like a love letter to the power of theatre. Even though the Syracusans HATE the Athenians, they're still desperate to see & hear poetry - so desperate that they'll use prisoners of war to act out what they remember of the plays of their hometown. The plays they put on (Euripedes' Medea & The Trojan Women) feature heavily, but you don't need to have read the originals to enjoy it.

🍷 The stand out feature of 'Glorious Exploits' was how timeless & relatable Lampo's character was. Through him, the ancient world is brought vividly to life - he adores his best mate but is terrible at communicating it, he can't get the girl he likes, he spends all his money on crap, he's still living at home with his mum, he loves drinking rubbish wine at the local pub & chatting nonsense with his friends.

🌟 Overall, I'd highly recommend this to anyone, regardless of whether you're interested in ancient theatre or not! Honestly I would have read a whole SERIES of books just following Lampo & Gelon around on their ridiculous errands. Can't wait to see what Ferdia Lennon writes next.

🗓️ 'Glorious Exploits' publishes on 18th Jan 24.

🎁 Thank you for this advance copy!

- Katie

(Review posted to Instagram on @katiespencebooks)

..as we listen, something happens. The words and voice blend so that what he is blends, and he becomes two things at once, a starving Athenian, yes, but something else, hidden, then rising. He's Medea, poor princess Medea from Colchis...[loc. 345]
Sicily, 414BC: two out-of-work potters, Gelon and Lampo, are on their way to the quarry with bread and olives. They'll feed the imprisoned Athenians, recently defeated at the Second Battle of Syracuse -- but only if said Athenians can manage a quotation or two, preferably from Euripides. Some of them do better than others, and after a while Gelon and Lampo hatch a plan to produce Euripides' Medea and The Trojan Women, right there in the quarry where the Athenians are surrounded by the tombs of their dead fellow soldiers; with Athenians playing all the roles, and full costume and scenery provided by our two heroes. They may be penniless potters, but they're avid theatre-goers -- and they have connections, including the delightfully sinister Tuireann, from 'the tin islands ... near Atlantis', who funds the production and who may have a god imprisoned on his ship.

The plays are produced; there's tension between Gelon and Lampo; there's a shockingly sudden act of vengeance; there's a daring escape. All fitting neatly into the historical context (which is backdrop rather than foreground: Lampo, for instance, berates a tour guide who's waxing eloquent about the death of Nicias, but barely mentions Nicias otherwise), and all exploring the multifarious shades of tragedy, from the theatrical to the personal. Happily, this is leavened by friendship, love and respect: I think the core of the novel is the friendship between Gelon and Lampo, and the things that make that friendship waver.

Glorious Exploits is the debut novel of Irish author Ferdia Lennon: I confess I was surprised (and initially irritated) by his rendition of colloquial speech as idiomatically Irish, but why not? I'd much rather read working-class characters speaking informally ("Ah, easy there now," says I. "There's plenty of fun to be had without mauling the staff. Right, lads?") than the stilted, grammatically correct dialogue found in some historical novels. Lennon's narrator, Lampo, may be a common man, but he's not immune to the magic of poetry or myth: and his and Gelon's shared passion for Euripides is a joy and an inspiration, however dark the denouement may be.

I'm reminded that I recently read another novel that featured the Sicilian Expedition: Mary Renault's The Last of the Wine. It's easy to imagine Myron, Alexias' father, as one of the Athenians who survives the quarries, who finally makes it home to tell of the Athenians' defeat.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance review copy, in exchange for this honest review: UK publication date is 18 JAN 2024).

This superb book embodies everything I love about modern interpretations around stories of ancient Greece. Set in Syracuse during the Peloponnesian Wars, we meet Lambo and his best friend Gelon as they search through the local quarry, which is serving as a prison for the Athenians who were captured following their failed attack on the city. Gelon wants to find any Athenian who can quote the plays of Euripides and, having found some who know the poet’s works, decides to put on a play bribing the captive Athenians with extra rations.

This receives a mixed reaction from the townsfolk of Syracuse, many of whom harbour huge resentments against the Athenians who they hold responsible for the deaths of so many of their loved ones. Lambo, as co-director, uses his own unique blend of humour and humanity to strike a balance between the people around him in an effort to put on a play which becomes about so much more than a mere play. Indeed, this book covers so much of what it means to be human. It looks at humanity, friendship, love, loss, hope, and more, but with absolute compassion and humour at its heart. The writing is sublime, and the plot and pacing are pretty much perfect in my eyes.

I loved everything about this book and hope to read more by this author soon. I heartily recommend it to anyone who loves classical retellings or historical fiction.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

Wow wow wow.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin for allowing me to read this proof of Glorious Exploits because I think you may have just spoiled 2024 for the rest of my TBR. I’m not sure anyone else will grab the top spot, and it’s my first read of the year!

This ancient story of betrayal, war and humanity completely wowed me. The first time I picked it up, I read a couple pages, and actually didn’t go much on it. I was heavily thinking of not picking it back up again. I left myself to stew on it, and came back having let go of the preconceived ideas of what I thought this book would be or how it would read.

Lampo is a main character I never thought I’d have a soft spot for. To begin with he is completely unlikeable, says the wrong thing persistently and is selfish (though even he is self aware enough to reflect on this). Lampo’s personal journery, from one of selfishness to sacrifice is an honour to witness. As well as Gelon’s journey with grief and anger. This book is a complete masterclass on character building and development.

This book is also a love letter to theatre and art alike. In every chapter there is praise. From the work of ancient playwrights, of course specifically Euripides, to the prop design in theatre. From appreciating clothing to art of song. As someone who has always leaned heavily into the creative side of my brain, this connected with me on a deep level.

I would truly love to pick this book apart chapter by chapter, and write essays on it. I have highlighted so many quotes it’s unbelievable. I just simply adore Lennon’s writing. At times simple sentences conjure such strong imagery- I am still thinking about the cat with the gold tongue mentioned only once- it seems odd Lennon did not spend paragraphs building the imagery up slowly to form such clear ideas.

Simply put, it feels wrong to say I loved such a book. One highlighting the brutality and suffering of war, the utter loss both sides accrue in fighting for their own lives whilst purging others of their own. But it has such humanity. Truly identifying just how far humans will go for one another, in both anger and empathy.

Glorious Exploits is balanced wonderfully in steady paced writing with quick events, with fables interspersed either in song or character action. I could not read this book quick enough. Without giving spoilers, if you’re looking for a book that is profound and heartbreaking, tied up all neatly with a bow at the end, this one is for you. It might not be an ending you foresee, or even want for Lampo, but it is still a satisfying one.

All together 5 stars from me: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Again, thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for the proof copy, I am beyond thankful for it! If Ferdia Lennon publishes anything else, I will be first in line.

Oh my gosh I loved this book. I picked it up expecting a little light entertainment and, within a couple of pages, was overwhelmed by how brutal and humane it was. Taking its starting point as the disastrous invasion of Sicily by Athens in 415BCE, Glorious Exploits goes on to explore grief, loss, suffering, and the transformative power of art and love within a narrative that contains a lot of violence and death but somehow remains weirdly joyful. I really hope a lot of people read this and then pick up some Euripides!

In Syracuse, Sicily, during the Peloponessian War (412 BC) two unemployed potters (Gelon and Lampos) have aspirations to direct plays by the great playwright Euripides.

For the cast the enlist the beleaguered Athenians, captured and imprisoned in the quarry following their defeat.

They plan to stage not only Medea, but also The Trojan Women, but how can malnourished prisoners of war and poor potters pull off such a feat?

This is a great little read and a brilliant debut. Lovely snippets of classics, humour, and a dash of tragedy and drama set this little book alight.

A 4.5* read for me and a great one to kick off 2024!