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withlivjones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, Slavery, and War
lydiesquid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Murder
kirstym25's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia and War
miniingrid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Grief, and War
Minor: Bullying, Child death, and Infidelity
annaavian's review
- 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
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.
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement and Grief
rwims's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Violence, and War
rokojo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
The novel features two friends, Lampo and Gelon who are unemployed potters during the Peloponnesian war. Syracuse defeated invading Athenians and imprisoned them in a quarry. The two friends like to go to the quarry and mess with them to pass the time. Gelon often has them recite from his favorite playwrite, Euripedes and gets the idea to stage a play with the Athenian prisoners as actors, the closest he ever gets to seeing his hero's work staged in Athens. We see the process as they bring it to life, securing an eccentric patron, getting to know the 'actors', collecting a group of children to assist, securing different elements they need, and promoting the play. Along the way we really get to know the characters and root for them even when they don't necessarily deserve it.
I did not know anything about the Peloponnesian war or Euripides going into this, but I appreciated the glimpse into this place and time which felt well researched but accessible. This accessability is also helped by the MCs not being war heroes or gods like a lot of ancient/historic greek retellings.
I've been recommending it to everyone I can and I really hope it gets the attention it deserves, I think a lot of people would enjoy it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Minor: Violence