My Father's House

Joseph O’ Connor is the consummate creator of historical fiction. My Father’s House continues this path of excellence .Hugh O’ Flaherty is an Irish priest based within the Vatican City during the Second World War and the German invasion. This taut tale tells the story of a mission set on a Christmas Eve in 1943 when the members of a ‘ choir’ ,led by Hugh , work together to support what is known as the ‘escape line ‘ under the guise of a Rendimento - a performance .The story is told through alternating chapters of the events in 1943 and interspersed with the personal reflections and interviews of those involved .The team are full of fascinating characters all beautifully realised. O’ Flaherty’s nemesis is the SS leader Hauptmann who is determined to control Rome with a firm hand of terror and also discover what the Irish representative to the Vatican is doing and ultimately bring him to ‘ justice ‘ This is an excellent read - a thriller that pulls you and builds up the tension - but it is through the almost poetic prose that creates the beauty and danger within Rome that lifts this novel to quality read that Joseph O’Connor is renowned for. A novel of power and importance that demands we do not forgot those who sacrificed and risked so much for justice

This is a great book, based on the resistance in Rome. Joseph O’Connor writes so vividly that I was in a state of nerves for a lot of the book worrying about Father Hugh. The story unfolds as it is told from different viewpoints and in different times and through it all, the character of an Irish priest, from a remote corner of Eire, shines like a beacon of bravery and honour. There are some pleasing twists and turns too, right until the very end. Riveting.

My Father’s House is based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, an Irish Catholic priest serving in the Vatican during World War II who devoted himself to the enterprise of hiding hundreds of escaped prisoners of war and Jews, and smuggling them out of Italy. An absolutely gripping story with a plot that hurtles along like a runaway train, it’s narrated in a series of voices, primarily O’Flaherty’s own, but also the voices of those who assisted him.

The story alone, with its depiction of the pressures O’Flaherty faced from, on one side, the relentless brutality of the Nazi party and, on the other side, the cautious ambivalence of the Vatican, would be enough to make this a terrific read However, for me, the best thing about the novel is the language. Joseph O’Connor writes so beautifully with such a flair for depicting character through voice and such an ear for a turn of phrase that the pleasure of reading this book felt almost physical, like eating wonderful food, or drinking magnificent wine.

My favourite novel so far this year.

Fantastically well told tale. Beautifully written characters, and a real triumph of a book. There's a real sense of being immersed in the city of Rome and the Vatican, along with all the sights, sounds and smells of the time. Such a harrowing period in history portrayed with a real sense of humanity.

This book starts like a gunshot. Sharp, quick and punchy I was immediately pulled into the story.

Based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, this tells the story of how he and courageous group of friends helped thousands escape from the Nazis as they occupied Rome.

While I have read a good number of books relating to WW2, I had never really considered the unique position of the Vatican City when Rome was taken under German control and I found this fascinating.

The structure of the book was really clever. Focussing in the main on a countdown to one particular mission on Christmas Eve, chapters building up to the mission alternate with interviews and letters from the characters reflecting on events some years later. This gave such an interesting perspective and it was cleverly done in keeping the reader guessing if they all survive.

The characters were brilliantly drawn, all bringing their unique talents and personalities to the group. Flashes of humour, wry observations and the relationships the members of the group have with each other lighten what could otherwise be quite a heavy book.

I really enjoyed the writing and will certainly be seeking out more of the author's books.

*4.5 stars*

My Father’s House’ is based upon the true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty. It’s set in Rome in 1943, and is about a group of heroes and heroines who risked their lives in order to save others.

Monsignor O’Flaherty is based in the Vatican where he plots and plans his big mission - Rendimento - to be implemented on Christmas Eve 1943. The mission is to smuggle Jews and escaped Allied prisoners out of Italy to safety - all this under the ever watchful eyes of the Nazis, and one Nazi in particular, Obersturmbannfurher Paul Hauptmann. Hauptmann already has utter contempt for the Irish priest after he was appointed to serve as an official Vatican visitor to the Italian concentration camp for British prisoners of war. These prisoners were on starvation diets until O’Flaherty began to provide them with little treats, something which didn’t escape Hauptmann’s attention. The visits were stopped and O’Flaherty became Hauptmann’s arch enemy as the Nazi suspected him of being a sympathiser (or more) of the Escape Line. He had very good reason to!

The priest began his plotting under the guise of his ‘Choir’ - a group of like minded citizens, determined to outwit the Nazis, putting their own lives at risk.

The Gestapo were meticulous in their surveillance of the priest and his visitors, so the tension was unbearable at times. This was beautifully written but as in any conflict, its ensuing pain, misery, and hardship, makes one wonder at the fortitude and perseverance required both to live, and to survive the cruelty and oppression, but more so to ignore the gnawing fear and take action against the cruelty and injustice, regardless of the threat to oneself. Highly recommended!

Highly recommended. Presented as fiction, and some events may be so, but the characters and events - the Escape Line - did happen. Whilst Italy, and Rome, were occupied the Vatican was a neutral zone, and thus diplomats, priests and others were able to help Allied troops and others who needed to hide and escape the German troops.

The book - the first volume in a trilogy - is well-written, and there are episodes that are full of suspense - will they, won't they escape, and although history proves that they did, the reader still feels that they could be caught, and face terrible consequences. I, for one, can't wait to read volumes two and three.

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

What a story. My Father’s House is a truly remarkable read. Set in occupied Rome in 1943 it tells the story of Monsignor Hugh O’ Flaherty, an Irish priest who is based in the Vatican City. From this neutral state he manages a network of like minded people who together, help Allied P.O.W.s and Jews to escape from the Nazis. Under the guise of a choir this group of people risked everything to help plan these missions. Based on a true story The Rome Escape Line, is a fascinating account of how this man and his crew went above and beyond to secure the safe pass of as many prisoners as they possibly could.
Of course as there are heroes there have to be villains and while obviously the Gestapo are the villains here , their leader Obersturmbannfurher Paul Hauptmann fits this bill perfectly. He has a dossier complied on Hugh and is convinced he will outsmart the priest sooner rather than later.
What follows is a hold your breath and jump in story.
The prose is wonderful, I felt like I too was walking through the glorious Roman streets with this priest, Joseph O’Connor is an excellent writer and he certainly doesn’t disappoint here. If you love historical dramas then this is definitely for you, if you love a good thriller then this is also definitely for you, in fact, I think this is a book for everyone to enjoy. For me this is a 5⭐️ Story.
Thanks to #NetGalley for my ARC of this magnificent book.

Joseph Connor writes a literary WW2 historical novel, inspired by real events and people, set in Nazi German occupied Rome in the run up to Christmas 1943, and the neutral state of the Vatican City. Irish priest, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, aka Ugo and Hughdini, is tasked with visiting the horrors of the Italian POW camps, an appointment the Nazis thought would not raise the terrifying conditions as the Irish were known to despise the English. How wrong they were, for the courageous Hugh tries to improve the conditions and raise the morale of the prisoners, many of whom were mere boys, whilst remorselessly castigating those running the nightmare camps. However, he is soon prevented from carrying out his duties by a neutral Vatican fearful of the Nazis threat of occupying their city, although for Hugh, neutrality is an extremist stance, without which no tyranny can flourish.

O'Connor immerses the reader in a Rome so completely that you feel as if you are right there, contrasting the city before the war to the hunger, bitter cold, curfews, terror, paranoia, and fear of the present, run by the powerful and ruthless Gestapo Obersturmbannfuhrer Paul Hauptmann. A man facing the not inconsiderable pressures of a Himmler expecting him to destroy the Escape Line through which so many are spirited out of the city and the country. Running the escape line is the incredibly tough and organised Hugh, code name Golf, and his 'Choir', he understands the need for silence, given the Nazis extensive use of microphones and their network of informants. It has come to their notice that Christmas Eve may represent a huge opportunity to move the so many hidden within the many rooms of the Vatican City. Operation 'Rendimento' is planned but suffers a serious setback when it becomes clear the person leading it, Major Sam Reed, is in no position to carry out the dangerous mission. And the Nazis and Hauptmann are snapping at Hugh's heels, certain of his involvement in the escape line.

In a narrative that shifts from 1943 and the future, we are given insights and experiences of the period through the perspectives in the 1960s of the widely disparate and fascinating cast of the Choir, that included the likes of Sir Guy D'Arcy Osborne, the wily John May who can get his hands on almost anything, the beautiful and grieving Contessa Landini and 40 year old singer and diplomat's wife, Delia Kiernan. The characterisation is superb, you get a real feel for the distinctiveness of each member of the Choir, and the exceptional character and personality of Hugh himself, a man who knows Rome like the back of his hand, for whom the city is his true home. This highly imaginative and informative novel is full of suspense and tension whilst celebrating the qualities of humanity, compassion, love, faith, tenacity and the resilience of those willing to risk their lives to save those at risk in the city of Rome during WW2. Without doubt a stellar historical read that I recommend highly. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

Oh my goodness, what a book. I love how Joseph O'Connor blends backstory and a tense present day plot so seamlessly. I was worried there has been a saturation of WWII novels, but this one really adds a new perspective through the occupation of the Vatican City.

I know a lot of reviews have given 1 star because of the formatting, but that has been sorted now, and this is definitely a five star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

My Father's House brought tears to my eyes and filled my heart with gratitude at the courage of Irish priest Hugh O'Flaherty.. His compassion and conviction to do the right thing fuels his risk-taking for the good of others. We read about the safe place that is created in Vatican City and the unlikely band of friends who hide vulnerable people. Based on a true story, My Father's house is a must read. It is a tender and nail-biting thriller. It puts a spotlight on love, humanity, sacrifice, faith, and acceptance. In extreme circumstances, this is the place to go for inspiration. Seamlessly weaving between different decades brings more reality to what is a masterpiece. Joseph O' Connor has created something truly special.