Ferdia Lennon’s Glorious Exploits caught me off guard, which rarely happens. What starts as a story about two friends trying to survive the humdrum in war-torn Syracuse, quickly becomes a journey that feels epic in nature. Despite only being 288 pages long, the novel is crammed full of sharp humor, brutal honesty and a deep love for storytelling.
At the centre of it all is Lampo, a character who is, frankly, a bit of a mess. He’s selfish, manipulative and rarely does the right thing, but that’s exactly what makes him so compelling. His journey is frustrating at times and his lack of self-awareness cringeworthy, but you can’t help but be drawn in… even when he’s making terrible decisions.
One of the things I loved most was how Euripides’ Medea is woven into the story – not just as a reference, but as something that shapes the entire novel. The themes of exile, vengeance and fate feel just as relevant to Lampo’s world as they do to the play itself and it adds so much depth to the book.
Lennon’s writing is effortless and full of personality. It’s witty, unsentimental and utterly compelling. The historical setting feels real without being overwrought and the dialogue is razor-sharp combining modern day speech which clashes with a setting rooted firmly in the past. It doesn’t sound like it should work… but it absolutely does. It’s rare to find a novel that balances humour and bleakness this well. I absolutely loved it.
