Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon

A captivating, uniquely inventive tale of comradeship, warfare and creativity and the pursuit of a greater purpose. 'Brave and entirely unexpected, this novel captivated me' Douglas Stuart, author of Shuggie Bain 'A truly exceptional, clever and enlightening story' Roddy Doyle, author of Paddy Clarke, Ha Ha Ha *** It's 412 BC and Athens' failed attempt to conquer Sicily has resulted in thousands of Athenian soldiers being held captive in the quarries of Syracuse, facing starvation, hopelessness and near-death. Struggling potters Lampo and Gelon often visit the quarry and discover prisoners who resort to reciting lines from Euripides' plays in exchange for bread and olives. This sparks an idea: to perform Medea in the quarry, a grand production to be remembered for generations. Despite their disdain for the Athenians, the men appreciate their poetry and seek to honor it. As they delve deeper into their plan, however, it becomes increasingly