My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor

Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty (1898-1963), an Irish priest, lived and worked in the neutral-territory Vatican during World War II during the German Occupation of Italy. Known as “The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican” for his efforts, he helped over 6,500 Jews, American and British soldiers escape from the Germans.

Joseph O’Connor, inspired by Monsignor Flaherty’s heroic actions, has written a fictionalized version of Flaherty’s story that is part thriller, part mystery, part horror story, part historical novel, and – mostly – a tale of incredible courage and daring. O’Connor spares no punches about the Nazi atrocities – perpetuated in this tale by a man named Paul Hauptmann, likely modeled after the real-life Obersturmbannführere, Herbert Kappler.

O’Connor’s description of Rome during the Occupation is chilling. Moreover, his descriptions of O’Flaherty’s activities and his intricate knowledge of every Roman road, alley, and passage– above and below ground – are astounding.

Peppered with a colorful band of conspirators, some modeled on actual people and some created by O’Connor, this novel moves at a frenetic pace and never lets up. Culminating in a Christmas Eve Rendimento-mission – the novel leaves us at the edge of our seats.

My advice – read it!