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reneesmith's review
5.0
Destined to be one of my top reads of 2023! I loved the writing style, the suspense, the mood created, the cast of characters—all of which brought to mind my favorite old movies & the actors that peopled them. The audiobook with the full cast of narrators really made the story come alive. Looking forward to the next in the series!
kate66's review
5.0
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).
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).
markreadsbooks_sg's review
3.0
I got My Father's House by Joseph O'Connor fro free from NetGalley for a fair and honest review.
My Father’s House tells the story of an Irish Catholic priest based in the Vatican city in Rome during world war II who runs an organisation that helps allied prisoners of war escape German captivity.
There are times when I go into reading a World War II novel that examines an are of conflict that my reading life has not been overwhelmed by that I go in with such hope, as this allows me to read a new twist on the subject which gives me a whole new reading experience.
Particular when the main character is not someone you expect takes the role of the leading character. In this case Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty an Irish man who has no reason to love the British.
While the novel promises so much to the reader such as myself from reading the description. However in my opinion the novel rarely lived up to my exceptions, both in the character study of the individuals involved and the way that the tension was used in the story.
While I am not saying that there were no parts of the story that had me gripped, they did seem few and fair between from a well written thriller novel.
In addition to the character development and in depth study of the characters involved was minimal and did feel almost two dimensional, both in their motivations and development.
This may have been because this novel is based on true events and was based around a true story and felt like it fell between the two stools of novel and historical study.
All in all My Father's House by Joseph O'Connor while not reaching the level I was expecting was still an enjoyable read.
My Father’s House tells the story of an Irish Catholic priest based in the Vatican city in Rome during world war II who runs an organisation that helps allied prisoners of war escape German captivity.
There are times when I go into reading a World War II novel that examines an are of conflict that my reading life has not been overwhelmed by that I go in with such hope, as this allows me to read a new twist on the subject which gives me a whole new reading experience.
Particular when the main character is not someone you expect takes the role of the leading character. In this case Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty an Irish man who has no reason to love the British.
While the novel promises so much to the reader such as myself from reading the description. However in my opinion the novel rarely lived up to my exceptions, both in the character study of the individuals involved and the way that the tension was used in the story.
While I am not saying that there were no parts of the story that had me gripped, they did seem few and fair between from a well written thriller novel.
In addition to the character development and in depth study of the characters involved was minimal and did feel almost two dimensional, both in their motivations and development.
This may have been because this novel is based on true events and was based around a true story and felt like it fell between the two stools of novel and historical study.
All in all My Father's House by Joseph O'Connor while not reaching the level I was expecting was still an enjoyable read.
hannagg's review
4.0
In his latest book "My Father's House," Joseph O'Connor creates a protagonist based on a real man, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, a priest in the Vatican. It's 1943, and the Nazis control Rome, putting a circle around the Vatican, which announced its neutrality. However, one can't remain neutral in the face of evil, which Hugh O'Flaherty believed in, risking not only his potential Vatican career but also his life.
Hugh O'Flaherty was a colorful Irish character: born in Cork and brought up in Kerry, very educated and speaking a few languages. He loved the opera. His mode of transportation was a motorcycle - not a typical way of moving for a priest. He was a warm man, attuned to people's problems, and always ready to listen to those who needed him; for this reason, people were instinctively drawn to him. Eventually, those who became his trusted friends and acquaintances created a secret group that organized the Escape Line, saving the lives of over 6000 Jews and Allied prisoners of war. The "choir," as Monsignor called them, was a diverse and colorful bunch of characters. There was Countess Giovanna Landini, Sir Francis Darcy Osborne, Britain's ambassador to the Holy See, his servant John May and many others. We get a glimpse of their personalities listening to different narrators – and I think the format of an audiobook, read by various narrators, makes this novel even better.
I loved the story's atmosphere, moving through the dark city of Rome, where a false move could result in quick arrest, torture, and death. Exciting as a WWII thriller, this novel is also emotional and heartwarming. There were moments when I had tears in my eyes; other times, I smiled, for example, when a member of British high society coldly criticized the feared Nazi officer's pronunciation.
There are many ways of describing heroes or geniuses in a novel. Combining just enough poetic license with plenty of research based on facts is an art Joseph O'Connor mastered.
Hugh O'Flaherty was a colorful Irish character: born in Cork and brought up in Kerry, very educated and speaking a few languages. He loved the opera. His mode of transportation was a motorcycle - not a typical way of moving for a priest. He was a warm man, attuned to people's problems, and always ready to listen to those who needed him; for this reason, people were instinctively drawn to him. Eventually, those who became his trusted friends and acquaintances created a secret group that organized the Escape Line, saving the lives of over 6000 Jews and Allied prisoners of war. The "choir," as Monsignor called them, was a diverse and colorful bunch of characters. There was Countess Giovanna Landini, Sir Francis Darcy Osborne, Britain's ambassador to the Holy See, his servant John May and many others. We get a glimpse of their personalities listening to different narrators – and I think the format of an audiobook, read by various narrators, makes this novel even better.
I loved the story's atmosphere, moving through the dark city of Rome, where a false move could result in quick arrest, torture, and death. Exciting as a WWII thriller, this novel is also emotional and heartwarming. There were moments when I had tears in my eyes; other times, I smiled, for example, when a member of British high society coldly criticized the feared Nazi officer's pronunciation.
There are many ways of describing heroes or geniuses in a novel. Combining just enough poetic license with plenty of research based on facts is an art Joseph O'Connor mastered.
lilyreads01's review
3.0
My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor is an engaging and entertaining historical thriller. In September 1943, Rome is occupied by German forces led with terror and force by SS officer Paul Hauptmann. Hugh O’Flaherty, an Irish priest risks his life to help those escaping from the Nazis and with a secret group establishes an escape line. He resides in the Vatican City, a neutral and independent country in which the German occupiers have no power. The book is leading to a mission on Christmas Eve but Hauptmann’s net is also closing in on the group and Hugh must risk all to survive. It is a thrilling and entertaining read that sustained a quick pace and rhythm. The book alternates between narratives between the occupiers and the occupied which creates an expansive viewpoint and reader experience. The writing is precise and no frills but sometimes I found this detracted from the emotional core of the story. It is an interesting and intense read perfect for fans of historical thrillers inspired by real events and people. 3.5 Stars ✨.
margaret21's review
5.0
An immersive story, taking as its starting point the fact that while Rome was under German occupation in 1942 and there was an Irish priest, Hugh O'Flaherty, based at the Vatican and involved in running an escape line for Jews, escaped POWs and resistance fighters during WWII.
The plan is to evacuate scores of refugees and resistance fighters, all separately hidden, out of Rome on Christmas Eve, when perhaps guard is lowered. Plans take place at the rehearsals of a specially convened Chamber Choir: singing drowns out the mutter of whispered instructions to each singer in turn. Each player in the plot has a role, No one knows what any other individual is required to do. Gestapo leader Paul Hauptmann has his suspicions that a plan is afoot, and O'Flaherty is in his sights.
This is a work of fiction, even though heavily indebted to known facts. The present tense narration of Hugh O'Flaherty's part in the drama is interspersed with fictional BBC interviews for a programme made in the 1960s. Each voice is distinctive, authentic, even funny: Irish, English, Italian, aristocrats and shopkeepers.
As in choral music, all involved have a part to play: the whole is more than the sum of the parts. The multiple narrators all bring their own interpretation to the story. The question of morality - whether a churchman should be involved in politics, in possible violence is a constant underlying theme. O'Flaherty's conscience is ever-present, to the very last page.
An often thrilling, always thought-provoking and absorbing story.
The plan is to evacuate scores of refugees and resistance fighters, all separately hidden, out of Rome on Christmas Eve, when perhaps guard is lowered. Plans take place at the rehearsals of a specially convened Chamber Choir: singing drowns out the mutter of whispered instructions to each singer in turn. Each player in the plot has a role, No one knows what any other individual is required to do. Gestapo leader Paul Hauptmann has his suspicions that a plan is afoot, and O'Flaherty is in his sights.
This is a work of fiction, even though heavily indebted to known facts. The present tense narration of Hugh O'Flaherty's part in the drama is interspersed with fictional BBC interviews for a programme made in the 1960s. Each voice is distinctive, authentic, even funny: Irish, English, Italian, aristocrats and shopkeepers.
As in choral music, all involved have a part to play: the whole is more than the sum of the parts. The multiple narrators all bring their own interpretation to the story. The question of morality - whether a churchman should be involved in politics, in possible violence is a constant underlying theme. O'Flaherty's conscience is ever-present, to the very last page.
An often thrilling, always thought-provoking and absorbing story.