Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon

9 reviews

turrean's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Hilarious, heroic, tragic, and human. Wow. 
As I neared the last few chapters, I was reading at a breakneck pace, desperate to have the ending revealed and very much fearing it at the same time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, and 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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

adrilynn21's review

adventurous dark emotional funny reflective sad slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Slavery, Xenophobia, Blood, and Grief

Minor: Child death and War

withlivjones's review against another edition

lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

• 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

What a brilliant read, perfect for anyone who enjoys ancient history and/or theatre. Although it is not quite as funny as all the reviews make it out to be, there is a lighthearted and casual bluntness to the narration that is very fun to read. What really struck me was how modern the characters felt - despite the book being set over 2000 years ago, it was a story that easily could’ve happened in the modern day because the characters aren’t too different to us. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, Slavery, and War

miniingrid's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

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Content Warnings

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

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing

Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Confinement and Grief