Glorious Exploits By Ferdia Lennon
Ferdia Lennon's debut novel is a bold, witty and unexpectedly moving reimagining of the ancient world that feels remarkably fresh. Set in Syracuse in 412 BC, in the aftermath of the disastrous Athenian invasion of Sicily, Glorious Exploits follows two unemployed potters, Lampo and Gelon, who hatch an audacious plan to stage Euripides' Medea using captured Athenian prisoners as actors.
What begins as an improbable scheme develops into a rich and entertaining story about art, friendship and the enduring power of storytelling. Lennon combines a thoroughly researched historical setting with a strikingly modern voice, creating characters who feel immediate, relatable and full of life. The result is a novel that is often laugh-out-loud funny but also capable of delivering moments of genuine emotional weight.
At its heart, Glorious Exploits explores the ways in which literature and theatre can bridge divides, even in times of conflict. The friendship between its central characters provides much of the novel's warmth, while the interactions between captors and prisoners add depth and complexity to the narrative.
Lennon handles big themes such as war, loss, identity and the redemptive possibilities of art with a light touch, never sacrificing entertainment for ideas. His inventive blend of humour and humanity makes the ancient setting feel vividly relevant to modern readers.
Original, intelligent and immensely enjoyable, Glorious Exploits is a standout historical novel that proves great stories can transcend both time and circumstance. A remarkable debut from a writer to watch.
