Glorious Exploits: A Novel

Glorious Exploits: A Novel cover
Good Books rating 4.06

Technical:
  • ID: 237
  • Added: 2025-09-06
  • Updated: 2025-09-26
  • ISBN: 9781250893697
  • Publisher: Henry Holt
  • Published: 2024-03-26
  • Formats: 38
  • Reviews: 4

Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon is a bold and original novel set in 412 BC Syracuse, Sicily, during the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War. It follows lifelong friends Lampo and Gelon, two unemployed potters who, captivated by the works of the playwright Euripides, devise a plan to stage his tragedies using captive Athenian soldiers as actors. Despite the brutal conditions of the prisoners and the hatred between Sicilians and Athenians, the friends’ endeavor to preserve these stories becomes a powerful act of humanity and art. The novel blends dark humor and tragedy with contemporary Irish dialect, creating a vivid contrast between ancient history and modern voice. It explores themes of war, survival, friendship, and the transformative power of theatre, as Gelon and Lampo navigate challenges including casting, funding, and the hostility of their community. Ultimately, Glorious Exploits is a hopeful and playful meditation on how storytelling can transcend conflict and connect people across time and divides.

Reviews
engaging 4.25

The story pulses with vitality despite bleak circumstances, driven by a likeable narrator with a dry sense of humor and an engaging Irish dialect. The novel balances melancholy with wit, creating a compelling blend of tragedy and humor.

This review highlights how Ferdia Lennon crafts a vivid narrative set in a bleak historical setting but infuses it with life through the character of Lampo, whose distinct Irish dialect and dry humor bring levity and charm to the story. The humor often emerges from Lampo's unspoken thoughts and the contrast of ancient events narrated in modern vernacular, making the tragic backdrop more approachable and engaging. The relationship dynamics, especially with orphaned children and other characters, add depth and complexity, while the tragic consequences of the play productions keep the story grounded in its harsh reality. The reviewer appreciates the novel’s ability to entertain and provoke thought simultaneously. They emphasize that the humor and vitality do not undermine the novel’s serious themes but rather complement them, creating a rich narrative texture. The interplay of historical context with contemporary speech styles offers a fresh and unique storytelling approach that makes the ancient world feel immediate and relatable. The reviewer finds Lennon’s narrative style compelling, especially the use of humor as a natural response to adversity, making this debut novel both funny and poignant.


Quick quotes

    Despite the bleakness of the setting and Gelon and Lampo’s personal circumstances, and the melancholy and loneliness that characterises both men, Lennon’s story manages to pulsate with a vitality that defies this.

    Lampo, who narrates the story through a distinct Irish dialect punctuated by much swearing and a very dry sense of humour that will make the book very funny to you if you share it.

    The novel’s humour often came in the form of an unuttered thought of Lampo’s in response to an annoyance.

Bookreporter.com · 2025-09-06
thoughtful 3.75

The novel skillfully uses modern dialogue to make ancient characters relatable, balancing humor with the tragic backdrop of war and loss.

This review notes the clever use of contemporary speech patterns and humor in the narration and dialogue, which helps bridge the gap between modern readers and the ancient setting. The reviewer finds the comedic elements effective, especially in scenes where characters make poor decisions, yet these moments underscore the harsh realities of starving prisoners and the devastation of war. The contrast between lightheartedness and grim circumstances enriches the narrative, making it both accessible and emotionally resonant.


Quick quotes

    Lennon cleverly makes use of modern speech in the way his characters speak to one another.

    The dialogue and narration, in particular, are often very funny.

    These lighthearted moments can feel a bit like whistling in the dark as they play out against a backdrop of war and immense loss.

Swirl and Thread · 2025-09-06
engaging 4.00

A bold and funny debut that contrasts the brutality of war with the hope and dreams of two friends who find meaning in ancient Greek plays.

The reviewer describes the novel as set in a harsh historical period, where war and violence dominate everyday life. Amidst this bleakness, the characters Gelon and Lampo bring energy and hope, their dream of staging Greek tragedies offering a compelling contrast to the cruelty around them. The narrative's strength lies in its portrayal of friendship, resilience, and the surprising power of art to inspire even in the darkest times. Humor and historical detail combine to create a vivid and engaging story that keeps readers invested.


Quick quotes

    Life for the Athenians is quite brutal with death, at times, a relief.

    Gelon is a thespian, a dreamer with idealised notions.

    In the midst of all this pain and anguish, along come two friends with dreams.

Goodreads · 2025-09-06
moving 4.25

The novel powerfully honors the transformative power of storytelling, showing how it can connect even enemies and impact lives deeply.

This review highlights the novel's setting during the Peloponnesian War and focuses on the efforts of two friends who revive Greek tragedy among captive Athenians. The reviewer is deeply moved by how the story pays homage to the enduring power and cultural significance of ancient plays, emphasizing how art bridges divides and sustains hope amidst suffering. They appreciate the narrative's mix of historical context with the humanizing effect of theater, making the ancient world vividly relevant.


Quick quotes

    In the end, the novel left me deeply affected.

    It is a homage to the power of story to alter individual lives and connect even enemies.

    Gelon is motivated by his love for Greek plays and his fear that the defeat of the Athenians would ultimately result in their famous literary works being lost to time.