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dazzy's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
abhi_vijay94's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Slavery
Moderate: Confinement
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I saw Glorious Exploits, my first thought was, "I don't need another mythology retelling in my life," and moved on. Thankfully, I started paying actual attention to the reviews since this is not a mythology retelling, and I very much needed it in my reading life. Glorious Exploits is set in Syracuse, Sicily, during the Pelopponesian War. The Greeks attempted an invasion but were repelled, and now thousands of Athenian prisoners of war are being held in fairly appalling conditions in an old rock quarry. One day, two unemployed potters head to the quarry and offer food to any prisoner who can quote them a few lines from Euripedes. Somehow, this morphs into the two planning to stage an increasingly elaborate performance of Medea, with the Athenian prisoners as the cast.
I loved the freshness and energy of this story, which was enhanced by the decision to have the Syracusian characters speak a distinctly modern Irish vernacular. There was a definite political point to this choice, but, as a bonus, it also made the audio a real pleasure. The characterisation was excellent, particularly the juxtaposition between Gelon, brooding and despondent following the death of his son and departure of his wife, and Lampo, more of a lovable rogue, very devil-may-care. At least he is initially. For Lampo forges a connection with one of the Athenian prisoners, which really shakes him out of his complacency, particularly after the performance goes horrifically wrong, leading him to undertake some serious risks for the slim chance of saving this man's life. This was one of the story's highlights for me, and one with a lesson for readers. Getting to know people as individuals rather than as a group of feared "other" - refugees/migrants/ perhaps newly released prisoners in a nearby halfway house - can really change how you perceive them and highlights the commonalities between you and them. There are plenty of serious topics, such as power imbalances, exploitation, and unifying power of the arts, canvassed in this novel.They are never explored in detail - this mostly a light-hearted blokey caper than morphs into a more serious charcter led drama - but they are there for a reader to note and consider. Memorable characters plus a fresh, fun feel albeit with some underlying substance combined to make Glorious Exploits a winner for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Slavery, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: War
sadhbhprice's review
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Death, Torture, War, and Classism
fuguballoon's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Devastating and tragic and funny.
A really good book for these times, when things in the world are terrible, life is not fair, and all you can do is make art.
A really good book for these times, when things in the world are terrible, life is not fair, and all you can do is make art.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
katiewhocanread's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Violence, Grief, and War
skyfluff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
hawkes's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, and Slavery
Moderate: War
annaavian's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well, it is safe to say that "Glorious Exploits" packed a hugely inventive premise that was unlike any other story that I've ever read. This comic riff on Greek tragedy was ridiculous, heartbreaking, funny, tragic and, odd in all the right ways.
This debut novel transports readers to ancient Syracuse with a fresh and contemporary twist. Set against the backdrop of a pivotal moment in history, Lennon weaves a captivating tale that blends historical fiction with modern perceptions, offering a unique perspective on an age-old conflict.
Set in Syracuse 412 BC, it follows the misfortunes of Lampo and his best mate, Gelon, jobless potters who attempt to stage Euripides’ Medea in a quarry where hundreds of Athenian soldiers are imprisoned during the Peloponnesian War. Auditions are held, funds secured, the absurd rehearsals get underway, and amidst all the madness, Lampo manages to court a slave girl in his local dive bar with the hopes of buying her freedom and affection.
What sets "Glorious Exploits" apart is Lennon’s choice to infuse the narrative with the language and spirit of contemporary Ireland, his homeland. This linguistic approach might seem like an odd one at first but it manages to add a fresh edge to the prose.
Central to the story is the intriguing dynamic between the Athenian prisoners and their Syracusan captors. Lennon masterfully explores the cultural exchange that unfolds in captivity, drawing on historical accounts such as Plutarch’s mention of the Syracusans' fondness for Euripides' tragedies. This interaction forms the crux of the plot, highlighting themes of survival, resilience, and the enduring power of art in the face of adversity.
While this book may not appeal to everyone due to its unconventional portrayal of a historical moment, I personally found its uniqueness to be refreshing.
This debut novel transports readers to ancient Syracuse with a fresh and contemporary twist. Set against the backdrop of a pivotal moment in history, Lennon weaves a captivating tale that blends historical fiction with modern perceptions, offering a unique perspective on an age-old conflict.
Set in Syracuse 412 BC, it follows the misfortunes of Lampo and his best mate, Gelon, jobless potters who attempt to stage Euripides’ Medea in a quarry where hundreds of Athenian soldiers are imprisoned during the Peloponnesian War. Auditions are held, funds secured, the absurd rehearsals get underway, and amidst all the madness, Lampo manages to court a slave girl in his local dive bar with the hopes of buying her freedom and affection.
What sets "Glorious Exploits" apart is Lennon’s choice to infuse the narrative with the language and spirit of contemporary Ireland, his homeland. This linguistic approach might seem like an odd one at first but it manages to add a fresh edge to the prose.
Central to the story is the intriguing dynamic between the Athenian prisoners and their Syracusan captors. Lennon masterfully explores the cultural exchange that unfolds in captivity, drawing on historical accounts such as Plutarch’s mention of the Syracusans' fondness for Euripides' tragedies. This interaction forms the crux of the plot, highlighting themes of survival, resilience, and the enduring power of art in the face of adversity.
While this book may not appeal to everyone due to its unconventional portrayal of a historical moment, I personally found its uniqueness to be refreshing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement and Grief
m_a_j's review
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Slavery, and War
Minor: Confinement
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