My Father's House: AS SEEN ON BBC BETWEEN THE COVERS (The Rome Escape Line, 1)

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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. He was born in 1898 in County Cork in Ireland, but he was brought up in County Kerry. In his later 20s he became a Catholic priest and went to live and study in Rome. He was a scholarly man, very intelligent: two Ph.D.s, lectured in theology, spoke five or six languages. Breathtaking … SHADOWPLAY is a book undaunted. … As much as this is a hugely entertaining book about the grand scope of friendship and love, it is also, movingly – at times, agonisingly – a story of transience, loss and true loyalty.’ Sadie Jones, The Guardian Joseph O’Connor’s earlier work was instrumental in demonstrating that modern historical fiction can mean novels of ideas and the state of the nation rather than works of populist nostalgia. Writing about second world war espionage and resistance is brave in this context – there are so many gold-lettered tales of homosocial derring-do sold to men in airports – but anyone buying My Father’s House with this expectation will find themselves expected to think as well as fantasise.

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!

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During the nine-month occupation of Rome, eighteen hundred Roman Jews were deported to the death camps. Fewer than twenty returned.” For cost savings, you can change your plan at any time online in the “Settings & Account” section. If you’d like to retain your premium access and save 20%, you can opt to pay annually at the end of the trial. I was utterly engrossed from start to finish. The writing hums with energy. Such a gloriously vivid depiction of a Rome that is both familiar and altogether strange. And a powerful story of ordinary humans showing extraordinary bravery and tenacity. Bravo!” Walter Scott historical fiction shortlist announced". BBC News. 1 April 2011. Archived from the original on 7 April 2011 . Retrieved 12 June 2011. O'Connor was a Research Fellow at the New York Public Library and Visiting Professor of Creative Writing/Writer in Residence at Baruch College, the City University of New York. [5]

I think there's probably an ambivalence about it,” says O’Connor. “It probably changed from day to day, and if there's one thing that senior Catholic Church figures are very good at, it's thinking two things at the same time. I think that he absolutely felt that the public message should be ‘I didn't condone this’ but he might have said something totally different.” A vibrantly imaginative narrative of passion, intrigue and literary ambition’ — Miranda Seymour, New York Times O'Connor's Shadowplay, published in 2019, was shortlisted for the 2019 Costa book prize in the Novel category. Never has the incredible story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty been fictionalised in such a vividly immersive experience. A powerful work of art.”As though a priest dressed like that was the most everyday sight you ever saw. And the bang of motor oil off him.” Ah, yes, as my old art editor used to say, he can throw a word to a pig. Stylish, gripping, and inspiring...O'Connor is one of the most talented and respected writers of his generation Church Times

The novel's evocative scene-setting, its propulsive narration and its powerful depiction of bravery and unity in extremis, all make for an engrossing read. Telegraph

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I have come to see neutrality is the most extremist stance of all; without it, no tyranny can flourish.” 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. And as each chapter heading steers the reader to the countdown before the frighteningly risky next Rendimento, we become utterly invested in the safety and the ultimate fate of “our” Monsignor and the motley members of the Choir. Impressive and pleasurable...the diverse ventriloquism of O'Connor's novel evokes a city in peril with wonderful vitality Financial Times