Delighted to be proved wrong!

A beautifully crafted story with engaging characters you immediately slowly start to root for. Building in layers of tension, suspense, anticipation, laughter and love throughout this gorgeously narrated tale, my, but the Dublin accent really works! Could not stop listening, felt a little bereft when it ended. Well done Ferdia Lennon!

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Such a good audiobook

This is my kind of book, think of an Irish Hans Solo in ancient Syracuse, relating a tale. The best book I've read in a long time about the horrors of war and slavery, the transformative power of theatre and the importance of friendship. Now I need to find a copy of Euripides' plays.

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Outstanding. A beautiful book beautifully read

I can’t remember when I last came across a new book I loved as much as this. Funny, voicey, lyrical, brutal, profoundly affecting, compelling. I’ve cried several times and neglected tasks I was meant to be doing because I didn’t want to stop listening. The prose is gorgeous but also clear, direct, fresh and engaging. Read by the author, who brings to life the characters with great skill. An uncommonly wonderful book.

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A unique take on the historical fiction genre

I loved this book. Very different to anything I've read in recent years....the dark humour...the unique spin on having the main characters speak in a Dublin dialect, the beauty of the writing...a true gem.

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As moving as it is entertaining

One of the most unique books I have ever read (well listened to). While set in Ancient Syracuse, this tale has modern Dublin at its heart. A must read/listen.

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Great talen

Really enjoyed this book the narrator was fantastic loved the Irish accent . Sad but really interesting, would recommend this book

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A glorious book indeed

I didn’t particularly fancy this from the description but having given it a go, turns out I loved it perhaps more than any fiction book I’ve ever listened to. Absolutely gripped by the story which has moments of great joy and great pain. I’m so glad I listened to it rather than read it on the page as the narration and characterisation really made the story exceptional for me. Lampo, I’ll never forget you. Truly a wonderful, modern, fun, tragic and original work. Thank you x

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Great read!

Fantastic story and nice mix of classical subject material mixed with modern dublin dialect. Recommended.

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A joy

This is entrancing and a sheer delight from start to finish. I loved the portrayal of Lampo as a chancer but with fierce loyalty, determination and a true heart. The Irish accent was perfect to show that he was an 'ordinary bloke' whereas the 'aristos' all had 'posh' speech.
The next thing I liked was the brilliant prose, sometimes lyrical, befitting the telling of a brand new Greek myth, at other times straightforward storytelling in familiar language.
I also very much liked that I learned a lot about Eurypedes' stories and absolutely loved the way in which the story of the events in the quarry linked up with the old, famous tales.
I highly recommend the audiobook.

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Original and gripping

I hope nobody tries to borrow Ferdia Lennon's brilliant idea of telling an adventure story set in ancient times through the medium of modern Dublin vernacular. It works brilliantly in Glorious Exploits but it lends this entertaining novel such a distinctive character it has to be a one off.
I could quibble about a few things, particularly the final chapter (unnecessary I reckon) but the main point is that this is a terrific story with tremendous tension, often makes you smile, has great dollops of pathos, a love story, a great escape, is grim and bloody when it needs to be and if Disney made it they'd definitely rewrite the ending.
Meanwhile the beating heart of Glorious Exploits is a conviction of the power of language to uplift and transform, particularly through the medium of theatre.

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