Disappointingly, like other reviewers, I have had to give up on this novel, due to the formatting. Missing letters throughout make this impossible to read comfortably. Whilst I am very happy to receive books to read and review, I am not prepared to waste my reading hours trying to fathom out what it is I am reading. Providing a readable copy for review should be a given.
My thanks to Netgalley, and apologies for a such a low rating. It is no reflection on the author’s work, which I had looked forward to reading.

This book was amazing! Absolutely loved it. It is based on a true story and it was fascinating reading about the Monsignor's efforts during the war. With others, he truly went above and beyond his duties. There are many characters involved in this story and they are all well researched. I loved the descriptions - so vivid and realistic I felt like I was there. This was a real page turner. I couldn't wait to get to the end, but also didn't want it to end. Totally recommend. My sincere thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest unbiased review.

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.

A fascinating and gripping historical fiction novel, Argo set in WWII. Based on a true story, the novel details the efforts of a priest in Rome who concocted an elaborate plan to form a choir to smuggle Jews and escaped Allied prisoners out of Rome on Christmas Eve 1943, I had no idea that Vatican City and the Pope were neutral during WWII and that certain groups sought refuge there to escape from persecution by the Nazis. It's amazing that there continue to be new stories to tell about WWII.

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!

My Father’s House’ is based upon the true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty. Set in Rome during 1943, it is about a group of heroes and heroines who risked their lives to save Jews and escaped Allied prisoners. The story is beautifully written, and a real sense of place and time is created. The characters are well defined, with Obersturmbannfuhrer Paul Hauptmann being incredibly intimidating. The only negative, being that the book can be overly description in places slowing down the story

This was my first book by Joseph O’Connor. I really struggled with his writing style and often lost my way with switching of characters in their later telling. Set in Rome, Monsignor Hugh O'Falherty was a remarkable Irish priest who helped hide a number of POWs and Jews and saved their lives from the Nazis. He formed the Choir which comprised a group of friends, from very different backgrounds, who risked their lives multiple times for this cause. Well researched, distressing and upsetting, and for a historical fiction based on fact, interesting and believable.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Random House, for this advance copy.

I am a huge Joseph O'Connor fan and read all of his novels. Unfortunately, formatting issues and missing letters in this early draft version have made it unreadable for me. I will wait for the novel to come out before reading it.

Loved the premise of this book and really enjoy Joseph O'Connor's writing usually. Unfortunately, I didn't read it due to the formatting, missing letters and really just perhaps a too early draft, however, I will purchase and I'm sure I will really enjoy it, as I have his others. Thanks to the publisher for the chance to read.

Prisoners are escaping from the NAZIS Prison in Rome after they take it in the Second World War (obviously). There's a new choir in the Vatican a independent state in Rome the Home of the Pope and many Priest as well as others.

So that's the background there are many characters that you get to meet individually which adds to the value of experience. There is a problem for our hero's there are too many hidden in the Vatican so they need moving and this is the tale of a mission but there's more to it than meets the eye. Yes it's an adventure that has several angles not to be confused with angels despite the venue. There is also a couple of nasty NAZIS but that's a horrible think about WW2.

This is told from the time and a retelling set in the 60's as a BBC documentary or other like program you need to read the book as I don't want to spoil it for you. I think you will love this if you enjoy thrillers I enjoyed the story line and the various characters who have variety. May be not the type we will necessarily bump into today but we aren't liviing in the same time plus I'm not in Rome.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was an intriguing and interesting story and exciting at times. I did learn a lot from it. However, I struggled to get through it. There was a lot that I didn’t understand and it was hard work trying to remember who everyone was and what was happening. I didn’t particularly enjoy the writing style and found some of the language was overly descriptive. I appreciate the amount of research that must have gone into this novel and I’m sorry that I wouldn’t rush to read a follow on if there is one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

During World War 2, in 1943 the German forces occupied Rome. The Vatican City, the world's smallest state, is a neutral and independent state located within Rome. The Germans had no hold over the Vatican. Irish priest Hugh O’Flaherty is located in the Vatican during this time. While the Pope and the Vatican are strictly neutral and want no involvement with the war, Hugh feels otherwise. Hugh gets involved with helping people escape from the Nazis.

Thousands of Jews have gone into hiding, others are prisoners escaped from the Nazis. All need to get out of Rome before they are found and killed. At first it was informal, helping here and there when he could. Then Hugh brings together an unlikely bunch of people he calls the Choir, to form the Escape Line, and work on moving as many people out of Rome as possible. Hugh makes an enemy of SS officer Paul Hauptmann, a cruel and evil man, who inflicts as much pain on prisoners as possible. Hugh and the Escape Line pull off some daring missions and save many people, right under Hauptmanns nose.

As you read this book you need to keep reminding yourself that it is tragically based on a true story. While the author presents it as fiction, the concept of the Escape Line, and the priest who helped may escape, along with the people who risked their lives to save many is true. The real Hugh O’Flaherty helped as many as 6,500 Jews and Allied soldiers escape. While Rome (and Italy) was occupied by the Germans, the Vatican remained a neutral zone. Many people who had secured refuge in it before the metaphoric gates were closed, alongside the priests and nuns, included diplomats, reporters and envoys. While many simply took refuge until it was safe to return to their own countries there were those who could not stand by and do nothing. These people risked everything, including the Vatican's neutrality, to help Allied troops, Jews and other persecuted people escape the clutches of the Germans.

This book is very well written, with the descriptions of Rome and its streets and buildings showing a deep passion for its beauty. The events of the war are not detailed much, and that is understandable, as it is more of a focus on the people involved in this one small aspect. The interview style, switching between the then and now, and recollection of events can get a little distracting, but overall helps tell the story from a few different viewpoints. Even if you knew what the outcome was to the real Hugh O’Flaherty, there was significant tension at points to have you concerned and wondering what the outcome would be at various dramatic incidents. There were some aspects with too much dialogue, or too much narrative, but overall an incredible story and a wonderful way to bring light to incredible acts of bravery by a collection of regular people who couldn’t simply stand by and do nothing from their privilege of safety, and who wanted to help no matter the risk and sacrifice.

My ARC copy did have some formatting issues and missing letters in lots of words, but despite this it was still an engrossing read.

*I received this copy from NetGalley for review but all opinions are my own.

This book was a bit inconsistent. The story and characters were compelling, but stylistically the novel struggled with pacing issues. The overly descriptive paragraphs didn't really add much and felt as if they were descriptions just for the sake of description.

Well researched, and interesting, but let down by the quality of the writing.

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.

The Father word in the title relates to this being essentially a biography of a priest, Hugh O’Flaherty, and Irishman living in the Vatican. The rest of Italy is under the control of its own Fascist government then the German Nazis come. Rome is full of allied soldiers, Jews and others out of sympathy with the government. Hugh helps them to escape at huge risk not just to himself but to the whole Papal control of the Vatican if his activities are discovered. This book is based on a true story with additions by the author. It shows a remarkable standard of research and considerable empathy with the victims of this period. The book is fascinating in its description of the Vatican’s problems at the time but there is also an exciting story keeping the reader on edge. The book is a historical achievement but also a good read. I recommend it.

It did take me a while to get into this book. The setting, Rome, appealed as did the subject. I felt drawn into the plot and connected with the characters. Ultimately, I enjoyed it but the language was perhaps too descriptive for my taste.

This book is fiction based on fact.
There are some people in the world that are either determined to do the best for themselves or a particular cause.
In this book the cause that is highlighted is world domination by the Axis Powers and the destruction of the Jewish population.
On the other hand there are those almost or totally selflessly do everything that they can to help people. In this book these people are organised by an Irish priest in Rome and the Vatican City.

It is part of the war that like most people I was aware of but knew little about.

The story is well told with no punches pulled, and just enough suspense.

A brilliant book in my favourite genre historical fiction.
My thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy for honest review.

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.