This was an interesting angle on a very familiar theme and the choice of setting and character (and especially because it was based on true events) really helped to lift this tale into something unforgettable.

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for the E-ARC of this absolutely incredible read. For lovers of historical fiction, this is a must read and I intend to buy it for my parents as soon as it is released later this month.

Set in Rome and Vatican City during WWII, we follow 'the Choir's' mission to save as many people as possible from the hands of the Nazis.

Likes ~

• the clever timeline of how events unfolded
• the characters' developments throughout the book
• the incredible friendships that were formed as a result of the Nazi occupation of Italy
• the incredible lengths everyday people will go to to save others facing persecution
• I was moved to tears at the end and I couldn't put the book down once I hit 50%

Dislikes ~ nothing!

If this isn't in my top 10 books at the end of the year, I will be surprised.

Thisi si an excellent historical novel based on a true story, one of those act of courage and piety that a the most diverse people did during WWII to fight against the nazis.
This is the story of act of love but also a tense and gripping thriller.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last as I loved it.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I really enjoyed The Star of the Sea which I read years ago, this is a gripping and horribly real story of war and what happens when morality is questioned - a thoughtful and insightful author thank you

I loved this perfectly crafted novel that wins on both subject and style of writing
The author has a unique writing style combining short sentences which are so vividly poetic at times with more flowing sections .The language was so beautiful that I found myself stopping to admire the language and poetry
The setting within the neutral territory of Vatican City during the Nazi occupation of Rome during the war was very interesting and I found I knew little about this .it allowed a sense of isolation and of being confined which heightened the story
There are sections which are so exciting that you feel like you are watching a fast paced escape movie .The characters are both uniquely individual and eccentric at the same time .There is a whole cast of people that you get to know more about as the story unfolds .I was pleased to see that this was the first of a planned trilogy of books and will look forward to number 2 I have not read any of the author’s previous books
I read an early copy on NetGalley Uk The book is published in the Uk on 26th January 2023 .This review will also be published in good reads and on my Wordpress book blog Bionic Sarah’s Books

This is apparently the first in a trilogy of novels based on the real life story of a Vatican based Catholic priest who helped a huge number of people escape from the Nazis in WW2. This makes for a gripping read, almost thriller like, as the Nazis, in particular one officer, work to find and destroy whoever is responsible for this escape route.

O’Connor’s narrative is multi-layered, giving a range of viewpoints which add to the tension and deepen the perspectives and is set over two timelines -1943 and the later accounts of people involved in the action. It is a gripping read and aid recommend it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy.

This is an amazing book, I loved every single word. The characterisations, the scene setting, everything.

Based on truth, Joseph O'Connor does an amazing job of producing real people, real situations and all in language that suits each of the characters. It is books like this that raise my spirits and prove that there are still authors around who can spellbind us.

The only thing that I can say about the actual story, other than eulogising about the way that it is written, is that you ought to put this book at the very top of your reading list and make sure you are not disturbed whilst you read it - it really is that good.

I've read quite a few books set during WWII but this one definitely stood out for me. My Father’s House is based (loosely) on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty and his "Rome Escape Line". Very interesting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the advance reader copy.

Joseph O Connor latest historical fiction introduces us to Hugh O’ Flaherty an Irish priest based within the Vatican City during World War II. It is based on a true figure who helped many jews and prisoners escape Italy from the terror of Hitlers reign.

We meet an array of characters at different stages who are involved in the Resistance. As the story unfolds we get a vivid portray of life in Rome during the war and the brutality of the Nazis who pursed them.

Read If you enjoy historical dramas based on true stories with an added twist .

With many thanks to NetGalley and Harvill Secker for an ARC.

I thought I had already reviewed this wonderful novel. Set in the Vatican during 1942/3 Father O’Flaherty against all of the Vatican’s war- time rules sets up a small resistance movement under the guise of the Choir. They discussed missions already run and the hiding of prisoners. And so a small band of ‘unlikely friends led by a courageous priest is drawn into deadly danger.’ The Gestapo boss Paul Hauptmann is determined to bring O’Flaherty down. The story is told later , during the fifties as accounts by members of the Choir and for all of this book my heart beats fast because I am convinced Father O’Flaherty cannot survive. And will he ? It is a beautifully told book and very moving, probably the best of many, many excellent novels I read in 2022, published in 2023. It culminates in a particular Rendimento and reading this major episode had me sitting on the edge of my seat. It’s also very moving, the characters brilliantly portrayed during the events of 1943 and later. Who can ever forget reading the words ‘ I did many things wrong in my life. But my Father’s house has many rooms.’ Jo O’Connor is an exceptional writer, a master of character, story structure and beautiful, very clean and touching prose. I sincerely hope this novel will be shortlisted for this years Booker Prize. It’s his best novel since ‘Star of the Sea’ and unforgettable.

My Father’s House is a fictional account of a true story about a group known as ‘the Choir’ working against the Fascists in Rome from their base in the neutral Vatican City. Whilst the book is incredibly well-written, with the author’s attention to the different voices and viewpoints in the book being a particular tour de force, I found it to be a bit plodding in terms of the storyline and the sense of threat and in particular the main character of Father Hugh was less than engaging and difficult to like. That said, it’s an amazing story brought to life.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

In occupied Rome the Fascists are in the ascendency and brutal Hauptmann is in charge of ensuring that calm exists. After the retreat from North Africa, thousands of Allied prisoners are being shipped to labour camps and a small group are trying to liberate them through the Escape Line. Based in the neutral Vatican City, a priest, a diplomat's wife, an Ambassador and a disparate team race to distribute funds on Christmas Eve, wary of betrayal and capture.
I love O'Connor's writing, it is heartfelt and emotive but without being too flowery. In this novel the majority of the action takes place over a short time frame but the weaving of many voices means that the novel seems incredibly detailed. This is a stunning book, as ever based on a true story, but written with an honesty and warmth.

Based on real events, but a work of fiction, this tells the story of wartime Rome in 1943/4. Hugh is an Irish Catholic priest working in the Vatican.
Wartime events are interspersed with (fictional) references to later dated interviews/letters from the 1960’s. This is a slight spoiler as you know who makes it through the war.
The Choir work to help those who have escaped German wartime camps, the Germans are patrolling Rome and are in control….or are they? A daring act on Christmas Eve results in a thrilling read as a choir member tries to outwit the Germans.
Took a little while to get into, but once there I was sucked in to the thrill and intrigue, the fast paced evening. Sometimes the later interviews/letters seemed to slow the plot down, but they also added context and gave a chance to catch your breath before continuing.
Great insight into what happened behind the scenes during the war, on both sides - as both sides were shown giving three dimensional characters with families and lives apart from the war efforts.

I found this en engrossing cat and mouse thriller. The setting at once glorious and ominous. I heard the sounds of the Vatican City, felt the fear and mistrust in the air . I found the motley crew involved in the rescues to be interesting and faceted and the anecdotal style of the storytelling suited the subject matter to a tee.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to while away a few hours, a nice glass of chianti beside you as evening turns to night. A story of intrigue and bravery, of daring and humour and of tenacity of spirit. God bless Father Ugo and all the members of the choir.

This was a great read and I liked a lot about it. The writing style was really engaging and the pacing was good. The main characters were excellently crafted and well-written. I particularly enjoyed the character of Hugh O'Flaherty. The plot was interesting and held my attention well.

This book stands out from a lot of other historical fiction books for me - I liked how it was based on some true elements and I felt it wasn't overly dramatised.

I would definitely read more from this author as I really liked this book.

I have a read several of O'Connor's previous books over the years and I believe this is his strongest novel to date.
Based on the the true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty who risked his life smuggling thousands of prisoners and Jews out of occupied Rome during WW2. The level of meticulous research is evident as this story unfolds and the prose is both beautiful and thrilling. A literary page turner that is wonderfully plotted and it evoked so many emotions when reading from extreme tension and anxiousness to sadness and hope. It takes great skill to provoke such strong emotions from a reader.
This is the first in a trilogy and I am eagerly awaiting the next book. A fantastic , moving , gripping read. Recommend..

4.5 stars

Joseph O'Connor's latest is the story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, a real-life priest based in the Vatican who helped smuggle thousands of WWII prisoners to safety. He wasn't alone in his efforts, aided by seven other brave souls who refer to themselves as 'the choir'. Their planning is meticulous, and it needs to be, for discovery means death. The villain of the piece is Paul Hauptmann, Hitler's representative in Rome, and a man with a penchant for torture. He knows some kind of escape line is operating and suspects O'Flaherty is involved. It all comes to a head on Christmas Eve, as the net closes on our courageous group and the outcome is far from certain.

This is not the first time Monsignor O'Flaherty's heroics have been dramatized - there was also a TV movie called The Scarlet in the Black starring Gregory Peck in the title role. It's the type of inspirational true story that is ripe for telling. O'Connor excels at ratcheting up the tension, and paints a vivid picture of a city brought to its knees by the Nazis. Yet the novel left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied. And the main reason is that there are too many narrators - I counted nine in total. It's too many to keep track of and some are far more interesting than others. However, I would still recommend this book for the way in which O'Connor brings history to life - Monsignor O'Flaherty is one of those rare, real-life heroes whose story deserves to be remembered.

I was recommended this book and am so pleased that I took the advice to read it.

It was my first experience of Joseph O'Connor and what a discovery he is. A lyrical writer with an incredible command of the language, he has succeeded in combining a taut thriller with a love letter to Rome and the Vatican City.

The characters are perfectly drawn and I inhaled this book in a couple of days.. It is based on a true story which I will also seek put, as I will this wonderful author's back catalogue.

What a wonderful read!

A really poignant read, based around the resistance in Rome during the Second World War. A harrowing story about an Irish priest helping to get Jews and escaped prisoners of war out of Italy. An important read.

Told in both third person and several first person accounts is the story of a group of influential people from various walks of life who put themselves at huge risk under subterfuge of a choir to assist Jewish escapees and prisoners of war from the clutches of Nazis and SS. Brilliantly written characterisation, intense situations full of suspense enhanced by reference to individuals motivations for putting themselves in desperate jeopardy all set from the backdrop of the Vatican City combine to produce an unusual and thrilling novel. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for this powerful and moving story of bravery in the extreme by ordinary people during the dangerous and extraordinary times of WW2.