Glorious Exploits

I mean, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this, but all the way through it invited comparison with Tom Holt's The Walled Orchard (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1125846.The_Walled_Orchard?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14). The subject matter (classical Athenian drama and the fallout from Athens' invasion of Syracuse) and the tone (broadly comic but not afraid to delve into the horrors of war and man's cruelty to man) are nigh on identical, and so, much as I liked it, the ghost of Holt* haunted my reading of this.

Also, to put on my classical pedant's hat for a moment, there is one absolute clunker in here early on, when a character refers to Sophocles' Oedipus Rex - rex of course being a Latin word that no Greek** would have used in the 5th century BCE. A contemporary would be much more likely to have called it Oedipus Tyrannos. Or even just Oedipus, as there are suggestions that the Tyrannos part of the title was a retrospective addition once Sophocles had written Oedipus At Colonus, which happened after the events of this book, but that is a pedantry too far even for me.

*he's not dead, as far as I am aware

**yeah, I know

6 stars.

A truly unique story.

Def recommend listening. First person narrative + narration by the author brings so much specificity to the protagonist.

Reading Euripides has been on my list for a while and is just on my list that much more. Obviously must start with Medea.

“Gelon says that's what the best plays do. If they're true enough you'll recognize it even if it all seems mad at first, and this is why we give a shit about Troy, though for all we know, it was just some dream of Homer's”

Historical fiction with a tragicomic twist, taking place after the Athenians' failed invasion of Sicily during the Peloponnesian War. Two unemployed Syracusians, Lampo and Gelon try to direct a play by the great Euripides, using the Athenian prisoners as actors. 

I loved the writing style which was truly sharp and humorous with an Irish contemporary vernacular, the contrast making the atmosphere even more vivid and engaging. 
The plot was straightforward and it's based on real facts, but there was still a tension to it since you didn't know how the characters would end up. 
This was written in first POV of Lampo, who was compelling and flawed with a crudeness to him that you seldom see. I did wish the other characters had their own POV to see their side of the story. Also there was one of the side characters, a foreigner that had me intrigued, and I would have liked to see more of him.  The authors perfectly used the plot to talk about some important themes like the power of art and culture, as a tool of connection and freedom but also family, friendship, community and resilience. 
The ending was really emotional to read, especially the last chapter that made me teary.  Amongst all the Greek mythology and historical retellings, this novel stood out with its original voice and story.  This was a great read and debut novel from this author, I will surely check out his next books!