My Father's House (Rome Escape Line Trilogy, #1) (2024)

My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor
Book 1 of the Rome Escape Line Trilogy

At the end of this story the author tells us that real people and real events inspired this work of fiction. Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and many of the people in this story were real and I'm so thankful to know about them now and to get to learn more about them through my own research now that this story has brought these people and events to my attention. What we have here is a slice of the workings of the Rome Escape Line and Hugh's very necessary and risky involvement in the escape line. So many people risked their lives and died to save thousands. I had no idea of this group of people and what they did to save lives or die trying to save lives.

The Vatican City, at one fifth of a square mile the world’s smallest state, a neutral, independent country within Rome, acted as a safe haven for diplomats, refugees, and escaped Allied prisoners. Such a small area had it's limit of how many people could be hidden so with the help of brave individuals from all walks of life, clothes, food, medicine, papers, and money were gathered continually to allow thousands to flee to refuge in the countryside surrounding Rome and then on to safer havens. Everyday the people working with Hugh were risking their lives, just as he risked his own life everyday.

Gestapo boss Obersturmbannführer Paul Hauptman, who appears to be the fictional stand in for the real life Obersturmbannführer Herbert Kappler, had Hugh and those who associated with him, in his sights, meaning that Hugh and the rescue line were under constant surveillance while they accomplished so much right under the noses of the enemy. So many lives were lost, so many lives were saved. It's a remarkable story, told through mostly fictional retellings in later years. The story can get overly descriptive and wordy at times, these characters can be a chatty bunch as they reminisce, but their stories do put us right there with Hugh and the people he worked with so closely. I look forward to the other two books in this trilogy.

Publication: January 31st 2023

Thank you to Europa Editions and NetGalley for this ARC.

*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!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Vintage for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *

“During the nine-month occupation of Rome, eighteen hundred Roman Jews were deported to the death camps. Fewer than twenty returned.”

Based on true events, My Father’s House by Joseph O' Connor, the first in his Rome Escape Line Trilogy, is a fictionalized account of a secret mission (codename Redimento) carried out by Monsignor Hugh O’ Flaherty, an Irish Catholic priest, and his trusted accomplices during WWII. A few years prior to the events of 1943, as an official Vatican visitor, O’Flaherty had been assigned to visit an Italian concentration camp for British PoWs. He was deeply affected by the plight of the prisoners, the filthy conditions of the camps and the inhuman treatment meted out to the prisoners by their Nazi captors. O Flaherty’s anti-Nazi stance earns him the ire of his superiors at The Vatican, which pursued a policy of neutrality during World War II, but does not deter his efforts in doing as much he could for those in need of his help.

“I have come to see neutrality is the most extremist stance of all; without it, no tyranny can flourish.”

Under the guise of a “Choir”, Monsignor Hugh and seven others, each from different walks of life, operate an “Escape Line”. Their choir practice sessions are a front for their efforts toward devising plans to aid escaped PoWs– a mammoth task that encompasses sheltering the escapees in safe houses, acquiring travel documents in false names and arranging transport to Switzerland- a task made more difficult on account of ruthless Gestapo officer Obersturmbannfurher Paul Hauptmann, who was aware of the existence of an Escape Line and was keeping a close watch on Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty in hopes of catching him and /or his friends at the right moment.

With beautiful prose and vivid imagery, author Joseph O' Connor has done a superb job of transporting the reader to Nazi-occupied Rome. The narrative is shared between multiple perspectives across dual timelines. In the 1943 timeline, we follow Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and his Choir in the days leading up to Rendimento (Christmas Eve, 1943). Other details pertaining to the mission and the participants can be gathered from written statements, pages from an unpublished memoir and interview transcripts of the choir members twenty years after the events (1962-63)which are interspersed throughout the narrative. All the characters are well fleshed out and the author skillfully brings all the threads of the story together weaving a cohesive, intense and suspenseful narrative that is hard to put down. Ultimately this is a story of immense bravery, sacrifice and hope.

“You don’t understand the fact that hope, if it is ever encountered, is in the small things of the everyday, not an announcement from on high. In the aroma of cooking, a phrase from Vivaldi. A handclasp. A conversation.”

Reading stories set in WWII Europe is never easy. The Holocaust, the devastation of war and the plight of civilians unable to escape war-torn lands are always deeply affecting. I appreciate stories that shed light on that era, even more so when I’m learning something new from them. I had been unaware of the Rome Escape Line and Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty before reading this book. The author also references true events such as the Ardeatine Massacre of 1944. The Author’s Note provides a list of references for those who want to read more about the true events that inspired this novel. This is my first time reading this author and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

I paired my reading with the superb full-cast narration - featuring Barry Barnes, Stephen Hogan , Barnaby Edwards , Laurence Bouvard , Aoife Duffin , Gertrude Toma , David John , Roberto Davide and Thomas Hill -that made for an immersive experience.

On Christmas Eve, 1943, a mission (code name Rendimento) was run by members of a choir and a network of accomplices. The goal: safe passage from Vatican City for Jews, escaped Allied POWs and Diplomats. These escapees had been hiding in Vatican City, a neutral independent country within Rome. The Rome Escape Line was formed by Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty and his cohorts. Intricate, underground plans were crafted to be implemented on Christmas Eve, a time thought to be less guarded by the Gestapo. Death would lurk at every turn.

At great risk to themselves and family, some Romans helped escaped Allied prisoners and Jews, providing train tickets in false names, which helped them flee to Switzerland. The assistance was intermittent and unorganized. Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty (Hugh) was an Irish priest assigned to the Vatican. "This Monsignor fellow was different, down to earth...his means of transport...was his motorcycle...". Hugh created a network dedicated to moving as many "books" (code for escapees) from the "shelf" as possible, A cover was needed for this operation. Why not a choir? Rehearsals were conducted for "a performance" on Christmas Eve. During each rehearsal, Hugh would silently fed information (to be memorized) to each choir member. Included were street maps, underground tunnels, and street front passthroughs. No verbal exchanges occurred, musicality only! "Hugh was obsessed with the notion of the Germans listening...We had to keep mixing the codes to stay ahead of the Gestapo."

A dossier on Hugh was complied by his nemesis, Obersturmbannfurher Paul Hauptmann. Hauptmann's animosity had been heightened after Hugh was ordered "to serve as an official Vatican visitor to the Italian concentration camp for British prisoners of war...Four thousand frightened prisoners...half starved...In my pockets I had bars of chocolate...American cigarettes...[Does] wartime mean these men may not be given water?" Hauptmann was the Gestapo Officer who had appointed Hugh as the Vatican Envoy thinking that an Irishman would be unlikely to sympathize with English prisoners. Hauptmann claimed he had knowledge of an Escape Line. "I will crack it". He issued a warning to Hugh who found his motorcycle in flames.

The story of the Roman Escape Line was told in dual timelines, the days leading up to the Rendimento on December 23, 1943 and 20 years later in 1963, as revisited by members of the Choir. Details of the mission were cobbled together, through the recollections of the choristers, into a cohesive tale of fear, intrigue, and bravery. The choristers were very well fleshed out as were Monsignor O'Flaherty and Paul Hauptmann. Information was conveyed through whispers...scribbles notes on toilet paper. Hauptmann's Gestapo had planted microphones and informants to catch Hugh in the act.

"My Father's House (The Rome Escape Line Trilogy Book 1)" by Joseph O'Connor is the first installment in the Rome Escape Trilogy. This read of historical fiction, based upon the true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, is a literary thriller. At any moment, the Gestapo might uncover the operation performed by a courageous, unassuming cast of remarkable characters who risked their lives for the betterment of others. Highly recommended.

Thank you Kristi Bontrager and Europa Editions for the print ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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 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.

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Amen. Reading this was a religious experience.
This story is based on the bravery and courageousness of one, Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. He put his life at risk using his creative tactics against the Nazis, to help Jews and escaped allied prisoners to flee.

WWII Rome. Priests in the Vatican City were to maintain neutrality and passivity in order to protect the Vatican City at all costs.
Monsignor Hugh ‘disobeys’ his Holy Superiors and cannot turn a blind eye to the atrocities taking place-Even going as far to being reprimanded by the holiest ones for calling out Nazis for their blatant disregard for human life. "The Escape Line” was an intricate and complex planning system to save 200+ prisoners. “The Choir” was the group of trusted people who helped in this dangerous undertaking.

The Writing? Masterful. The characters? Charming. But buckle up. This is one journey that will give you heart palpitations.

Book 2 BRING IT! 5⭐️
***This story is based on the real Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty***

In a Nutshell: A historical fiction based on the heroic acts of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and his “Choir” who helped smuggle Jews and other Allied prisoners out of Italy into the Vatican during WWII. Great research, but a tedious writing style that I simply couldn’t get into. This is an outlier review.

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Plot Preview:

1943. Rome is occupied by the Germans, whose local boss is the dictatorial Obersturmbannführer named Paul Hauptmann. Providing help to allied prisoners and Jewish refugees in the independent Vatican nation are an Irish priest and his eclectic group of friends, who have only their objective in common.
This is based on true incidents, and is written in various points of view in varied grammatical voices.

Yet again, I raise a question I have asked multiple times previously. While rating such historical fiction works, are we rating the life of the person whose story we are reading, or are we rating the book? Monsignor O’Flaherty, along with his team members, deserves 5 stars for his work. But this book? Sorry! I struggled to focus on the story because there was absolutely nothing to motivate me to go on except the desire to know more about a brave priest. I should have stuck to Wikipedia.

Bookish Yays:
✔ Getting to know about an inspiring priest and his brave team.

✔ Some interesting, thought-provoking lines.

Bookish Mixed Bags:
💢 The writing style: Each of the members of the Monsignor’s team gets a first person narration talking about their WWII efforts from a future time. As these people come from a variety of backgrounds, their speech reflects their background and personality. This is brilliantly done, as the spoken content gives us an idea of the character's personality. But… and this is a big BUT… imagine the trouble shuffling through so many distinct writing styles within the same book. There is nothing to tie the whole plot together, and as the individual narrations aren’t even structured, the plot seems to hop from one idea to another. Moreover, the historical content (1943 timeline) is needlessly verbose in style, and randomly staccato in sentence structure.

Bookish Nays:
❌ The plot: Basically, this book takes a 10-page event and makes a 280-page book out of it. Considering that this is a story of rescues, it falls surprisingly flat. A lot of time goes in expositions than in action. Only the final section contains thrills. Cutting out the unnecessary content would have reduced this book to at least half its size.

❌ The framing: Imagine a person who is unwell and also under much stress as there are just a few hours left before the execution of a grand rescue plan. This person now decides to take some time out to pen down his will in the few minutes left before the zero hour. This “final will and testament” gives us extensive details of the events leading to that point, complete with dialogues. Eh? What will has such content?

❌ The fluff: The story would have flowed much better had it been linear and focussed mainly on O‘Flaherty. Instead, we get an over-detailed backstory of each of the team members, a lot of which has nothing to do with the core plot. A backstory of O’Flaherty would still have been fine, but that’s conspicuous in its absence.

❌ The plot development: All over the place! It is so jumpy that after a while, I gave up on understanding the sequence and just blindly read. What we get is a hodgepodge of the 7-8 (I lost count!) first person narrations from the 1960s, and a third person narration in the simple present tense, focussing on the events in 1943. (I am beginning to hate this writing choice of penning flashbacks in the present tense.)

❌ The pacing: Slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

❌ No author’s note: I would have appreciated a clarification about which of the events in the book are real, and which ones fabricated. (I am not sure if such a note is present in the final copy. The advanced copy didn’t have one.)

I am utterly disappointed because this had been a highly anticipated read for me. I have actually been on a sabbatical from WWII fiction since more than two years now as I have been too saturated with the repetitive stories being published. I was hoping that this book would get me back in the groove of my favourite genre. Instead, it has made me extend my sabbatical indefinitely.

Then again, if you aren’t the kind of reader who will be greatly bothered by writing styles, and can focus on the characters instead of authorial choices, you will definitely enjoy this ride, as have a majority of readers. Unfortunately, I have come to realise that my enjoyment of a book is greatly dependent on its writing, and if the writing doesn’t work for me, I simply cannot get into the book, no matter how appealing the rest of it. So please take this review with a pinch of salt and give the book a go. (That said, if you do want to try this book, don’t opt for the audio version. I think it will be too chaotic to listen to.)

This is the first of an intended trilogy, but as this book is complete in itself (at least I felt so), I don’t know what is planned for the other two books. But based on this experience, I will desist from trying the remaining books. My journey with this author’s books begins and ends with this read.

2 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through The Pigeonhole. This review is voluntary and contains an honest opinion about my reading experience. Sorry this didn’t work out better.

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Joseph O’Connor’s – My Father’s House, was a captivating experience. What a read – what a story, this piece of historical fiction is based on real events using fictional characters created by amalgamating real players of this period of WWII Rome.

We are right in the thick of the Nazi occupation. The Nazis are stomping all over the shop, committing all sorts of atrocities and trashing people and places. There are a number of heroic locals committed to making the Nazi’s malignant presence as difficult as possible.

Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, who would be right up there with Count Rostov as one of my favourite male leads, runs an underground group called The Choir . This clandestine group assists Allied POWs to escape and go into hiding to evade the clutches of the SS and Gestapo. A very dangerous business indeed, and the most frightening illustration of the horrific danger here, is the presence of a cruel SS officer, Paul Hauptmann. You will be hard pressed to find a more sad*stic human being than Hauptmann. He was a family man too. Many of these obscene war criminals were – filing down the teeth of prisoners to pulp being interrogated during the day and tucking their kids in bed at night.

Four thousand frightened prisoners crammed like abused beasts, half starved, into a couple of barbed-wired stony fields. One doctor, a drunken pervert. No letters. Two latrines. Compulsory hard labour. Frequent beatings.

There is a lot of suspense here, a lot of tension, this is a thriller – you will be on edge. For those Romaphiles among us, we see the sights – to assist us, there is a detailed map inside the front cover (I love maps). There are horrors and fascinating characters. This author uses a highly effective way of developing the main characters (largely, choir members) by inserting a few pages on each, spaced throughout the novel. These passages take the form of interview records or reports. I found this such a clever way to build the characters into something tangible. It also assisted with plot development.

An interesting aspect of this book, for me, involved the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Nazi aggressors. The Pope even makes an appearance in this story. I need to read some non-fiction of this aspect of the war – there is a lot to learn and try and understand.

The last chapter was incredibly emotional.

This is a superb 5-Star effort by O’Connor.

Fantastic!

“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”

The background of this tribute to a priest, Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, living in Vatican City at the start of the war when thousands of Nazi troops and their evil commander, Obersturmbannführer Paul Hauptmann, (Kappler) ruled with an iron hand. Vatican City was a neutral zone that housed a huge variety of people coming into the city for protection and a place to find that their life might go on.. Included with those fleeing were many Jews who hid among the thousands hoping to find a way to safety. These were the people the Monsignor and his divergent band of friends stove to help.

It was a dangerous game they played with Hauptmann, one where their own lives would have been extinguished if found they housed and kept Jews safe. The danger and peril was ever so real and the author does an excellent job of showing the reader that with scenes that set one's heart beating faster. This was a game played out against the Nazi oppressor and through The Monsignor and his band of loyal friends, they managed to save thousands of Jews and Allied trapped soldiers. They were brilliant but everything they did came under the intense scrutiny of Paul Hauptman who knew something was happening but couldn't quite catch them all. Some he did and they lost their lives but no one ever turned over the names of the group.

This book is inspiring and moving in so many ways. I have often wondered as a girl raised solidly in the principles of the Catholic Church why something wasn't done to save the Jews by the church. To say I was disappointed in their reticence was an understatement, but Mr O'Connor made me understand the why of that. Through Monsignor O'Flaherty and the others, I came to know what life was like in that tiny enclave of one hundred nine acres and what courage under fire truly looks like. It is estimated through the use of safe houses and churches this indomitable group saved some six thousand five hundred people under the very eyes of the Gestapo.

The Monsignor lived until he was sixty-five, born in County Kerry in Ireland, Hugh returned there and was interred in 1963, an Irish hero, (labeled the Scarlet Pimpernel) for his ability to always escape.

A poem I found written about him
"There is a tree called freedom and itgrows
Somewhere in the hearts of men
Rain falls, ice freezes, wind blows
The tree shivers, steadies itself again."

As a note, Pope Pius XII seemed to know of O'Flaherty's activities and knew what he did could endanger the Vatican, but allowed him to continue.

Enormous thanks to Joseph O'Connor, Dreamscape Media (wonderful narrators Barry Barnes; Stephen Hogan; Barnaby Edwards; Laurence Bouvard; Aoife Duffin; Gertrude Toma; David John; Roberto Davide; Thomas Hill) and Netgalley for a copy of this astonishing story due out January 31, 2023.
Do not pass this one by.

This book is based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty who risked his life to save smuggle thousands of Jews and escaped Allied prisoners out of Italy. He must do this under the eyes of the Nazis. He did not do this alone, he had many brave men and women, known as the ‘Choir’, who helped save others while putting their own lives on the line.

I love books that not only teach me something but are thought provoking and evoke feeling. This book fit the bill. I also love books based on real people and events. Joseph O'Connor transported me to Rome in 1943. His vivid descriptions made it possible to see the events in this book/audiobook takin place in my mind.

I loved how clever Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and all that helped him were. How they were able to pull the wool over the ever-watchful eyes of Obersturmbannführer Paul Hauptman.

I could feel the amount of research that was done by the author while listening to this book. I enjoyed the tension and suspense. I enjoyed the stories and how the book was told in dual timelines (1943 and 1960's). I could not help but admire all helped others while putting themselves at risk. That is no little feat. To know the consequences for your actions, but to do the right thing knowing the risk. It is truly beautiful to see the compassion, bravery and dedication that was shown.

This book was informative, gripping, moving and evoked emotion. My only complaint is that at times I felt as if it was not going to end. But overall, a very enjoyable, educational, moving book.

I listened to the audiobook and thought it was nicely done.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com

4+ A multiple cast narrates this audio and added greatly the reality of the time and danger. It was in a word, fantastic. It was also wonderful to read about a churchman as a hero instead of a villain, as has so happened in recent times. Monsignor O'Flaherty is a true hero as are those who helped him with the plans despite the danger to themselves.

Vatican City was supposedly neutral but during WWII plans were put in place where Jews and allied troops were smuggled to safety. The book alternates between that time period and twenty years later as those who aided in the escapes are interviewed by PBS. The difficulty of doing this right under the nose of the Nazis cannot be overestimated. I believe, despite all the books being written about this time, that we will never reach the end of all that needs to be told.

My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor was the first book in the Rome Escape Line Trilogy. It was a historical fiction novel based on the tue story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty who had risked his own life in order to save others. During World War II, when Rome was occupied by the Nazis, Vatican City was neutral. Vatican City measured all of 1/5 of a square mile. It was the smallest neutral state. Jews, escaped Allied prisoners and diplomats knew that if they entered Vatican City they had a chance of survival. Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty was committed to helping as many people escape the wrath of the Nazis as he could and get out of Italy. He accomplished this by befriending several Italian people who shared his viewpoint and beliefs and were willing to risk their own lives to save others. When all was said and done, the Monsignor had the cooperation and support of seven people. These people became known as The Choir. They actually practiced songs but also used the time when they met to plan their mission which the members of The Choir referred to as Rendimento. The goal of their mission was to help Jews, escaped Allied prisoners and diplomats escape from the persecution of the Nazis and escape from Italy. All this was planned to happen on Christmas Eve, December 23, 1943. The Monsignor was their brave leader. In the days leading up to the Rendimento, false documents and new identity papers were created. The members of The Choir practiced their code names and what they were to say if they got stopped. Routes were gone over and committed to memory. The primary obstacle was SS Obersturmbannfuhrer Paul Hauptmann. SS Officer Paul Hauptmann ruled Rome with terror. He was on to the Monsignor and had compiled a dossier on him but so far had not been able to charge him with anything. Would The Choir and the Monsignor be able to evacuate all those they hoped to get out of Italy successfully? Would the abstractions they planned be enough to keep SS Officer Hauptmann distracted long enough to accomplish The Rendimento?

My Father’s House was the first book that I had read by author, Joseph O’Connor. I enjoyed that it was told in a duel time line. It alternated between the days in 1943 that led up to the Rendimento and then in 1963 when several members of The Choir were interviewed. The audiobook that I listened to was well done. There were several narrators so voices were easily distinguished. This was a part of World War II that I had never heard about. Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty was a courageous and brave man. With his help, guidance and leadership thousands of Jews, Allied prisoners and diplomats were able to be smuggled out of Italy. He is someone who should be admired for his courage. I look forward to reading the second book in this trilogy. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media LLC for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor through Netgalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

4.5 rounded up

It’s September 1943, and German forces occupy Rome, with Gestapo boss, Paul Hauptmann ruling with a terrifying iron fist. There’s privation leading to widespread hunger and a multitude of swirling rumours. The goose-stepping troops armed with machine guns and gripping growling dogs keep control with spies and surveillance, adding to the horror. Stepping into this dangerous fray is a band of unlikely friends led by a courageous priest. Their cover is a choir and the choristers are Delia Kieran, wife to the senior Irish diplomat at the Vatican, Marianna de Vries, a Dutch, freelance journalist, Sir D’Arcy Osborne, the British ambassador, Enzo Angelucci, former new stand owner, Sam Derry, an escaped British prisoner of war, John May is the resourceful man servant to the ambassador, Contessa Giovanna Landini, a widow, and the “conductor” is Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. Will the Nazis dare to invade the small neutral enclave of the Vatican City? There the characters are relatively safe. The novel is told as a countdown to the Rendimento (whose literal meaning is performance) a daring mission which is to take place on Christmas Eve 1943. It’s the story of tremendous bravery and sacrifice, and is based on the true story of Hugh O’Flaherty.

I can say with absolute certainty that this is one of the best works of historical fiction I have ever read. I love the way Joseph O’Connor writes, he has a wonderful way with words, it’s literary with some superbly apt and creative phrases and metaphors that serves to transport me to Rome of 1943. His writing is lively, it’s engaging and even manages to be amusing on some occasions, usually courtesy of Delia, who paints a terrifically colourful portrait of Hugh. I particularly like the way the author chooses to tell his tale via the countdown in 1943, which is interspersed with BBC Interviews of the choir members recorded in 1962 to 63 and some transcripts. This enables the reader to hear their individual voices, to gain a strong sense of their different personalities and varied backgrounds and all are well fleshed out.

The atmosphere in Rome is incredibly tense and the stunning and beautiful city provides such a contrast to the horrors of Nazi occupation. At times, I feel as if I’m just behind Hugh as his feet tread the streets or alleys in fear of discovery. The danger is palpable. The countdown to the Rendimento adds further suspense and tension, and I like the way the author almost draws this out (in a good way) as you’re almost holding your breath and when it comes you are willing them on, but so afraid for them. Their bravery is in no doubt.

This is a truly remarkable story, told extremely well with genuine intensity, so you are immersed in those dark days of 1943. It’s a story of guts, of resilience, of thinking on your feet, although that of course does take care of planning and preparation. Despite the fact that this is the story of darkness that lurks therein, ultimately, it’s a story of hope.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

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.

My Father's House by Joseph O'Connor was a book that I was so eager to get my hands on and I was so excited when I got a copy from Net Galley to read in return for an honest review. I am such a fan of Joseph O'Connor and would rate Star of the Sea in my top 30 favourite books .

My Father’s House is based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, who risked his life to smuggle thousands of Jews and escaped Allied prisoners out of Italy under the nose of his Nazi nemesis.

The premise of this story set my heart racing and I just couldn't wait to get struck in but unfortunately, I just couldn't connect with the writing style and while I got about 3/4 ways through the book, I felt I was struggling and not getting my head around the story. I tried taking this one in smaller bites and just reading a few pages a night, but it didn't work for me. I am so disappointed as I love this author. I don't want to discourage other readers from reading this book as this is more about how I reacted to the style of writing, and I can see from other people's reviews that this is certainly a book well worth adding to reader's TBR list for 2023.

I appreciate the opportunity from Net Galley to read this advance copy in return for an honest review.

A fantastic, gripping novel, with a wealth of wonderfully realised characters.

(review disappeared, here we go again)
In recent years,many books about WWII have come out. Most,in my opinion,are just riding the wave. Many are chick lit disguised as historical fiction. Very,very few are gems like this one.
Based on a true story,and first in a trilogy,Joseph O´Connor tells the story of Monsignor Hugh O´Flaherty,in Nazi occupied Rome,and his very particular "choir" which helped escape thousands of war prisoners.
Written in O´Connor´s usual lyrical,perfect prose,it´s moving,thought provoking and full of perfectly rounded characters,most of which you´d like as friends.
A wonderful read

Book 1 of the Rome Escape Line Trilogy

This novel was inspired by the true story of Monsignor O'Flaherty, an Irish priest in the Vatican who helped smuggle Jews and escaped allied prisoners out of Italy.
The premise as to how this all comes about is both ingenious and fascinating!

Rome Escape Line Trilogy #1

September 1943: German forces occupy Rome. Gestapo boss Obersturmbannfuhrer Paul Hauptmann rules with terror. Hunger is widespread. Rumours fester. The war's outcome is far from certain. Diplomats, refugees, and escaped Allied prisoners flee for protection into Vatican Coty, at one-fifth of a square mile of the world's smallest state, a neutral, independent country within Rome. A small band of unlikely friends led by a courageous Irish priest is drawn into deadly danger as they seek to help those seeking refuge.

Set in Rome, 1943. This book is based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, a brave and courageous man. He put his life at risk against the Nazis to help the Jews and other escaped prisoners to flee. Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty was a true hero. The Vatican City was supposed to be neutral, but during WWII, it was a place where Allied troops and Jews were smuggled. The book alternates between 1943 and twenty years later when the people who had helped the escapees were interviewed by PBS.

What a well-written, intriguing, and gripping read this book was. This is one of the best historical fiction war books I've read. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUK #Vintage and the author #JosephOConnor for my ARC of #MyFathersHouse in exchange for an honest review.

I have always enjoyed Joseph O’Connor’s books, so I was excited to receive his latest for review. This novel revolves around Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, based in Rome during WWII and the organiser of an escape route for prisoners of war. The story has a good sense of place and emergency but is also interspersed with transcripts of interviews for the other members of O’Flaherty’s ‘Choir,’ which is the cover for his activities. These transcripts both deepen the sense of character and also bring about a tension as you try to piece together what will happen on the plan for Christmas Eve, 1943, when a major plan is about to unfold.

We learn of how Hugh O’Flaherty upsets both the Vatican, by his open dissent against the agreed neutrality, and that of his nemesis, Obersturmbannfuhrer, Paul Hauptmann. Hauptmann is menacing indeed, but also has a weakness, which is his love for his wife and family. The glimpses of his human side are shocking, alongside his brutal behaviour and casual violence, while you feel his obsession with O’Flaherty and the mind games he uses against him, highlight O’Flaherty’s essential strength. An excellent novel and one I recommend highly. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

My only previous experience of Joseph O’Connor’s work is his novel Shadowplay, a fictionalized account of the life of Bram Stoker which was shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Fiction 2020. That book utilised a number of structural techniques including diary entries, letters and transcripts of conversations as well as more traditional third person narration, and the same is true of this latest novel. My Father’s House is set in Rome, more precisely in the Vatican, during the Nazi occupation and is described by the publishers as a ‘WWII-era “great escape” novel’. The book is based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty who, along with others, risked his life to smuggle thousands of Jews and escaped Allied prisoners out of Italy. The cover for the operations is a choir, with musical or literary terms used as code words.

Although Hugh O’Flaherty is the key character I loved the way the author brought to life the other members of the group. They recount their experiences by means of transcripts of interviews recorded twenty years after the events in question allowing the reader to hear the distinctive voices the author has created for them. For example, the acerbic wit and Irish lilt of displomat’s wife, Delia Kiernan – ‘Some little jack-in-office of a penpusher thinks he’ll lord it over yours truly? Take the back of my arse and boil it’. Or the Italian-American slang of Enzo Angeluccio or the co*ckney accent and sardonic asides of John May. Describing his first encounter with his future employer and fellow member of the choir, Sir D’Arcy Osborne, in a Soho nightclub frequented by gay men: ‘So Sir D’Arcy’s in one midnight with a couple of his old school muckers and they’re larking about with the drag boys. It’s coming on a bit fairyland and hark-at-her, Gladys, and they’re calling Sir D’Arcy ‘Francesca’, just good clean fun…’

There are also brilliant little details about life in neutral Vatican City such as the fact it was necessary for residents to apply for a haircut pass the leave its boundaries.

A thriller wouldn’t be thrilling if there wasn’t a formidable opponent. In this case it’s the utterly ruthless Gestapo boss Obersturmbannführer Paul Hauptmann. One of the standout parts of the book for me was a section entitled ‘The Hunstman’ in which the author gives us a chilling insight into Hauptmann’s domestic life in his heavily fortified home in a former museum that is almost like a prison, and to the motivation for his vile actions. Driven by a deluded patriotism, he dreams of delivering to Hitler a conquest that will strengthen his career and bring prosperity to his family. ‘An example to the whole Fatherland. The Hauptmanns.’

All the while the members of the choir are working on the plans for forthcoming missions they are mindful of the risks they are running. ‘What was being rehearsed would have got us tortured to death by Hauptmann.’ Judging by what we learn about him, he’d have enjoyed that.

The description of My Father’s House as a ‘literary’ thriller is spot on because, alongside the gripping story, the narrative has some brilliant stylistic flourishes. I loved the way the author includes passages made up of short, sharp bursts of descriptive prose that are almost like poetry. ‘On the fourth floor, breathless, he unlocks the scriptorium and enters. The vast shutters of his workplace half-closed. Bowed bookshelves. Onyx inkwells. Stacks of mouldering files. Mousegnawed dissertations on Christology. Quills and their sharpeners. Letter-openers. Ledgers. Spiderwebbed portraits of virginal martyrs. A knot of tangled scapulars dangling from a doorknob, near a trinity of rickety candlesticks. Relics and rat traps. A skull doing duty as memento mori. Tomes. Bones. Combed texts of encyclicals. Leaded windows left unwashed for a long as anyone can remember.’

My Father’s House is a thrilling story of heroism, intrigue and ingenuity told with great panache.

I've read a few of Joseph O'Connor's novels and this is my favourite. It succeeds in being both beautifully written and gripping. It's about an Irish priest in Rome who is committed to opposing the Nazis. The novel centres on one highly dangerous particular mission. Thus the tension mounts and mounts. O'Connor is a master at creating character and making his people live on the page. A great read. Highly recommended.

There's no doubt in my mind that the Monsignor’s training prepared him to intervene in difficult situations rather than being content to remain a bystander. His response was in line with his value system, seeing the persecuted as humans deserving of help, regardless of their background. His confidence came with his religious training. Regardless, I was in awe of his courage on command and his ability to fuel others, albeit a quirky cast, to join the cause.

This first book in the Rome Escape Line trilogy is inspired by the true story of Monsignor O’Flaherty, an Irish priest in the Vatican who helped smuggle Jews and escaped Allied prisoners out of Italy.

First of all, I’m excited that O’Connor brought to the forefront a little-known piece of wartime history. I’d never heard of ‘the Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican’ before and was curious as to how he hid and protected so many from the Nazis. Not only did he hide POWs, but he also aided downed pilots and rescued books. I was held captive with O’Connor’s premise; a choir conductor and choir preparing for a performance! I was also prompted to research the head of the SS and Gestapo in Rome, Herbert Kappler and understand a little more of the irony of his last days. I’m still shaking my head.

Secondly, although I didn’t care for the writing style, it kept me captivated as I read about attempts to sneak out of the Vatican City unnoticed through underground tunnels and in/out of stores with false fronts. I was in awe of the risks taken to save others. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the vivid and descriptive writing, I just found the sentence structure too choppy with too few context clues and little continuity. I dreaded putting the book down because I knew it meant I had to reread previous sections to familiarize myself with what was happening before I could continue. It's obviously my issue as I know this author has earned several awards for his writing. Please don't let my personal preference influence you.

Thirdly, I found myself smirking at a few lines and saved them for future use.

"Sweet Mother of James’s Street, is this the way it’s going to be?”

Referring to a pub as “Satan’s waiting room”

“Memory Lane is a thoroughfare best visited fleetingly.”

Finally, the conclusion confirmed for me that God’s hand is in everything - even events we could never imagine happening.

I’m happy I investigated this ‘great escape’ novel set in the Vatican during WW2 and featuring an Irishman and an escape route I’d never heard of before.

I was gifted this copy by Europa Editions and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This is the Joseph O'Connor I know and love. I was mighty disappointed by Shadowplay but with My Father's House he is back to his storytelling best.

This novel tells a fictitious version of the real life of Fr. Hugh O'Flaherty who, along with a cast of several others plus the inhabitants of Rome played a central role in getting escapees and the like put from under the noses of the Nazis during the occupation. He, like many others, risked his life to help others during a murderous episode in Rome's past.

That torture and murder occurred is not in doubt; that brave sould risked their lives and often lost them is another given. What Joseph O'Connor weaves in My Father's House (what I believe is going to be the first part of a trilogy) is one version of a true and truly terrifying story but his research of the Monsignor and his "gang" has clearly been done meticulously.

This is a great book and I'd highly recommend it to anyone interested in history or Mr O'Connor's work or even those who simply enjoy a very well written piece of historical fiction.

On a related note if you are interested in the true version of events Mr O'Connor provides further reading at the end of the book and you can visit the statue of Hugh O'Flaherty in Killarney National Park in Kerry (where they do now have crushed ice, tomato ketchup and easy access to garlic - read the book and you'll understand the reference).

3.5 stars. This fast paced novel describes the heroic efforts of a group headed by an Irish priest working in the Vatican to provide the Escape Line by which escaped Allied POW’s and Jewish prisoners were transported out of Rome. The terror and threat of the Nazis is ever present – every action taken by the priest and his group put them in severe danger of torture and death – yet they were undeterred. The reader meets each member of the group, which was called “The Choir” because they sang during their meetings so that their discussions and directions could not be heard. The Choir members all came from different social, ethnic and political backgrounds, but they were all united in their desire to save human beings from the Nazis. The novel provides wonderful background on each character and follows each of them through the action. We even see Hauptmann, the incredibly despicable Nazi commander in some personal detail. Rome is almost a character in itself. Life inside the Vatican is described in excellent detail as are the numerous back streets and hidden places in the city of Rome. I really enjoyed reading this novel, and will definitely read the next two in the Escape Line trilogy; however, I saw it more as a recounting of heroism in a terrible time, rather than a deeply moving work.

DNF @ 27%
May 24, 2023 – Finished Reading - for the time being...From my Reading Listening Activity:
January 26, 2023 – 17.0% "Was on pre-order, released here 26/01/2023 (yesterday). Interesting, if somewhat confusing, opening chapters. I think this book will live up to its hype :)"
February 7, 2023 – 27.0% "Oh dear, I am not sure if I am enjoying this book or not. Changing time-lines, a character per chapter, perhaps my "abnormal-ness" is finding it a little difficult to cope with :-? Or perhaps I have simply over-dosed a bit on the Vatican?"

4.5 stars
Top-notch blend of action-thriller and introspective literary fiction, based on real people and events.
The story is set in Nazi-occupied Rome during December 1943 and unfolds as a countdown towards 'a mission'. The author slowly deals out information about our cast members, moving back and forth in time through flashbacks to events before Dec. 1943, and then to interviews given by some of them in 1he 1960s.
Vatican City is a sovereign state and was neutral territory during WWII. During the Nazi occupation of Rome it housed not only the Pope and the Vatican's clergy, but also various diplomats and foreigners who had fled there for safety. It also sheltered escaped POWs, Jews, and other fugitives, who were hidden and then smuggled to safety.
The author contrived a marvelous cat-and-mouse conflict between Paul Hauptmann, head of the Gestapo in Rome, and Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, leader of 'The Choir', the group running the smuggling operation. Hauptmann is under a lot of pressure from Himmler to stop the escapes. He heavily suspects O'Flaherty of being the mastermind, but his efforts to trap him keep falling flat.

I will definitely be re-reading this one in order to catch all the little details that I raced by in my desire to know what happened next. And I want to read the next in the series, whenever it comes out.

Began well, declined, improved, then finally collapsed into a messy narrative. The patterning of narrative, commentary, narrative etc, worked well to begin with but became repetitive by the halfway point. The commentaries became less and less convincing in terms of voice and the characters became stereotypes. The evil German. The gay diplomat. The elegant countess. As a novel, this promised much but settled for mediocrity.

My Father's House (Audible Audio) by Joseph O'Connor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to the (new-to-me) Irish author, Joseph O’Connor, Dreamscape Audio, and NetGalley for this wonderful ARC, in return for my honest review. What an ensemble of narrators: Aoife Duffin; Gertrude Toma; Barry Barnes; Stephen Hogan; Barnaby Edwards; Laurence Bouvard; David John; Roberto Davide; Thomas Hill.

From the publisher: Book 1 in the Rome Escape Line Trilogy, My Father’s House is a powerful, heartbreaking literary thriller based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, who risked his life to smuggle thousands of Jews and escaped Allied prisoners out of Italy under the nose of his Nazi nemesis, Hauptmann. September 1943: German forces occupy Rome. SS officer Paul Hauptmann rules with terror. The war's outcome is far from certain. A deadly high-stakes battle of wits ensues in this astonishing, unforgettable story of love, faith and sacrifice, exploring what it means to be truly human in the most extreme circ*mstances. A small band of unlikely friends led by this courageous Irish priest is drawn into deadly danger as they seek to help those seeking refuge and escape.

This was an 11+hour novel on a well-done audio! Although parts could have gone on longer, IMHO, other parts seemed to need a bit of editing or shortening. Regardless, it was quite interesting and compelling due to the author's writing and treatment of the subject matter (WWII, Holocaust), which includes an IRL Irish Monsignor stationed in Rome who helped Jews and other escapees flee the Nazis. Each chapter was read by one of the narrators listed above and we see the setting and atrocities through their eyes.

I read a lot of historical fiction, especially about the Holocaust and WWII, and this is one of the really good ones. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series!

It moved me to tears.

When you write such an intimate historical novel you have both a duty to characters and to the readers. I feel author Joseph O’Connor succeeds on each count. He has taken facts and people and re-imagined the struggle in war-time Rome.

I was drawn to the novel as I know so little about Italian resistance and the plight of POWs held by the Germans in Italy. Most novels I have read have centred on Paris and escape routes in France.

It was also interesting to be presented with the response to Rome’s capture by the Nazi’s and the consequences for the Vatican.

This is a well conceived novel which has a group of individuals led by Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty to find sanctuary and safety for escaped prisoners of war.

Working in real time on Christmas Eve 1943 leading up to a crucial operation across Rome, the story is enhance by later interviews with some of the participants remembering their wartime exploits.

This is such a compelling and intense read.

It details raw courage and the selfish acts of all those who worked with Hugh to raise funds and find accommodation for the growing number of escapees. The book has you hooked with that sense of impending danger and arrest by the Gestapo.

The glory and the incandescence of the human spirit shines so much brighter against the darkness of the failed Fascist ideology. A 5 star review of a book and an individual who will live long in my memory.