DCU Book Club

Book in May - Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon 

We're surrounded by novels that reimagine ancient Greek stories - but this remarkable book turns the genre on its head.

In Glorious Exploits, set during the Peloponnesian War, two Syracusan potters, Lampo and Gelon, feed Athenian prisoners in exchange for recitations of Euripides. They soon decide to stage a production of Medea, which leads to unforeseen and extraordinary events. Lennon's novel, celebrated for its contemporary Irish voice and blend of humour and depth, is a unique tribute to the enduring power of art and brotherhood in times of conflict.

“In At Swims-Two-Birds, Flann O'Brien gave us cowboys riding through Dublin. Now, Ferdia Lennon gives us modern-day Dubliners living among the ancient Greeks. This is a very special, very clever, very entertaining novel.” — Roddy Doyle

About the Author

Ferdia Lennon was born in Dublin to an Irish mother and Libyan father. He holds a BA in History and Classics from University College Dublin and an MA in Prose Fiction from the University of East Anglia. His short stories have appeared in publications such as the Irish Times and the Stinging Fly. In 2019 and 2021, he received a Literature Bursary Award from the Arts Council of Ireland. Glorious Exploits is his debut novel. After spending many years in Paris, he now lives in Norwich with his wife and son.