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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
3.5. Liked that it was written with the characters talking in modern vernacular. Feel if you are a classic Greek scholar you probably will get more out of it as it’s probably rather clever. I felt the ending was strong. I enjoyed a story of 2 working class lads trying to escape their background set in a time in history I’m unfamiliar with.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve wanted to read this for a year, was gifted a copy in January, and waited until now to read it because I was so certain I’d love it. So it’s really surprising to me that I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would.
The writing style is really modern, which completely threw me off. Swears like the f and c words are used, people mention their ‘ma’ and ‘da’ and call each other ‘mate’. It was clearly a deliberate choice, but it did not work for me at all - I started reading the whole book in a northern English accent. The protagonist is also incredibly flawed, to say the least. Which is fine, but I was never certain if I was meant to care about him regardless. I feel like we were meant to be rooting for him, in a ‘he’s so flawed but means well’ kind of way, but I found him unredeemable. The remaining cast of characters consists of so many people I found it hard to keep track of. Some scenes were indeed funny, in a dark humour kind of way, but I found the situation the Athenians and enslaved people were in too dire to really get on board with this.
I was able to imagine the settings and scenes easily enough, which is always a big plus for me. There’s an underlying message about how hatred is taught and how rewarding looking out for the other is, which was done well enough. I just found this weirdly hard to get through.
The writing style is really modern, which completely threw me off. Swears like the f and c words are used, people mention their ‘ma’ and ‘da’ and call each other ‘mate’. It was clearly a deliberate choice, but it did not work for me at all - I started reading the whole book in a northern English accent. The protagonist is also incredibly flawed, to say the least. Which is fine, but I was never certain if I was meant to care about him regardless. I feel like we were meant to be rooting for him, in a ‘he’s so flawed but means well’ kind of way, but I found him unredeemable. The remaining cast of characters consists of so many people I found it hard to keep track of. Some scenes were indeed funny, in a dark humour kind of way, but I found the situation the Athenians and enslaved people were in too dire to really get on board with this.
I was able to imagine the settings and scenes easily enough, which is always a big plus for me. There’s an underlying message about how hatred is taught and how rewarding looking out for the other is, which was done well enough. I just found this weirdly hard to get through.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There was barely any theatre content; the blurb and marketing made me think this was about art. But it was more just about Lampo generally living and getting into situations in Ancient Syracuse. I also didn't find it satirical or funny, it was a good enough read but I don't feel like this is the book I thought it was going into it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this quirky book of theatrics in ancient Greek - but told in an Irish brogue. The first half is a tad slow but it picks up in the final third of the book. I liken this book to City of Thieves by David Benioff.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, War
I kept picking it up which was good but I never really like enjoyed reading it? Unsure of this one.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5/5
This was great. Hilarious and ridiculous as well as moving and emotional at times. I rooted for Lampo even though he was kind of a dick.
This was great. Hilarious and ridiculous as well as moving and emotional at times. I rooted for Lampo even though he was kind of a dick.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Such a fantastic little book. I came on expecting to laugh and, while I certainly did that, I also cried and felt heart broken for all the people in this story. the twist at the end with Lyra I could see coming but it didn't stop my devastation. The middle of the book I found sometimes frustrating and unfocused, but by the end of the novel I understood why the narrativ started out that way. very well written and the vivid descriptions of the world and will stick with me. What this book had to say about humanity and love and theater will certainly stick with me!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes