I was so excited for this book as I love the story behind the movie, The Scarlet and the Black, but this novel jumped around too much to find it enjoyable.

I enjoyed this story quite a bit and was fascinated to learn that it is based on an actual person. This is a WWII story that I had not heard and shows the depth of impact the war reached. The story centers around a priest at the Vatican, who provided shelter to those needing protection from Nazi soldiers, informants, and politicians. He worked with a network of people and in violation of his Orders, risking his own life and occupation.

The storytelling and writing was very engaging. I listened to the audiobook and I had difficulty following the characters at times. While the narration was good, the voices/accents were too similar to distinguish between, especially if they hadn't been in the story line for a little bit. I feel that I could have gotten deeper understanding if I had been able to follow the characters better.

The author has beautifully created a story of Nazi occupied Rome. Told in dual timelines and various perspectives, we follow Monsignor O'Flaherty in the days leading up to the Rendimento. Twenty years later we learn more details through statements and interviews. This is a story of bravery and hope, told via a suspensful and moving narrative. I did audio and this lent so much nuance.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction books ... especially if they are set during WWII. However, this one did not appeal to me that much. Though Father O’Flaherty is a true hero and his story needs to be shared, the writing style did not richly portray the efforts the Monsignor made to aid POWs and downed pilots. This was an aspect of WWII of which I was not familiar. However, it appears my viewpoint is one of the few less than enthusiastic ratings. I would encourage you to read the book and decide on your own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage Digital for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this book. I never felt invested in the characters, even though I had high hopes because of the very turbulent life situations they were in. The writing itself was good - but the story just wasn't developed and streamlined enough for me.

This book was slow to get going and hook me but once I figured out who was who and what was going on I was hooked! I love seeing a good "sock it to 'em" story and that is exactly what the priest did to the head nazi dude! I will definitely be reading the next in this series!

#MyFathersHouse
#NetGalley

The novel is based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. It takes place in Rome in 1943. A group of people come together to plot against the German occupation. The use of multiple narrators is creative and brilliant. This was a wonderful read. Cannot wait for the future books. Thank you to Europa Editions, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for accepting my request to audibly read and review My Father's House.

Published: 01/31/23
Narrators: Barry Barnes; Stephen Hogan; Barnaby Edwards; Laurence Bouvard; Aoife Duffin; Gertrude Toma; David John; Roberto Davide; Thomas Hill

This is a miss for me. The synopsis drew me to the book. Unfortunately, I stayed lost and/or behind the whole book.

Nine narrators didn't help. I have found that audiobooks are beneficial with names, places and words I'm not familiar with. This I believe is the first book that the narrators were a detriment for me.

I was reminded of a television chef, Giada Pamela De Laurentiis. She speaks English and in mid sentence rolls Rs in an attempt to incorporate Italian in her speaking, primarily ingredients. I find it ridiculous and difficult to take her seriously.

The concept is the same with respect to My Father's House. I am sincere when I say, not liking this was never a thought.

There is a market, and I hope that this book finds its audience. I may try the print version. While I feel two stars is appropriate from me, don't be turned away if you can follow the narration. I couldn't.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

I think I would have liked this more if I read a physical copy. The narrators were good but it just jumped around so much that it was hard for me to follow and really digest this by listening. Very interesting subject matter, just not the audiobook for me.

My Father's House is the place that protects refugees that are running from the terror-hungry Gestapo. A group of friends unites to help the running escapees to flee the hands of the Nazis. The dangerous task has not escaped the eyes of the authorities and the group must decide between saving their own lives or the lives of the refugees.

A powerful and heartbreaking read. Out of my WWII novels, this is one of a few that takes place in nazi-occupied Rome. This book is inspiring in so many ways, and it is based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, who has played a significant role in the lives of thousands of Allied soldiers and Jews. Great read, I would recommend this to any history lover.

Thank you, NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel.

A great start of a series. A well written historical fictional story based on real events. In the midst of the horrors occurring during WWII, there were angels among us. Those who under the cover of darkness and with incredible risks to themselves, did all they could to save lives. It’s not an easy read as the subject matter is difficult and yet it’s so important whether real or a fictionalized version thereof. I am very much looking forward to the next on the trilogy.

I was lucky enough to receive an audio copy of this book from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.
There were 9 different narrators for this reading. It was confusing and hard to keep up with which character was talking at what times. It took me almost half the book to be able to associate each voice with which character, for the most part.
There was a lot of jumping around in the story because each character was telling it in the past tense. And we don’t find out why that is until the end of the story.
The premise of the story was very good. I loved Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty’s character and what he does for the people of Rome, even if it’s a risk to himself and the rest of The Choir.
I was drawn to this book because it’s based on a true story. Even though the audiobook was a little challenging for me to follow, I’m still curious to read the rest of the trilogy.

This informative novel is based on real events and involves actual people during the German occupation of Rome in 1943. It reads like a thriller with the suspense triggering an uneasiness and concern for the many characters involvement in the harrowing events that unfold. The creative and heroic rescues through the Rome Escape Line, right under the Gestapo’s watch, was especially interesting. The back and forth dual timelines & interviews helped explain what was achieved and at what cost. Who can be trusted, will they get caught was always at the back of your mind. You could smell, feel and see everything with the descriptive narrative.
While listening via audiobook I found the narration a bit difficult to follow due to the many characters. At times having to go back to understand what was happening. But it comes together once you get used to the pace and story line.
If you like WWII suspenseful historical fiction, and the underbelly of Rome in particular, this is the book for you. You will travel in your mind every step of the way. This book has heart and humility. It shows love, friendship and above all, courageous people preforming the impossible to save humanity.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for sending this audiobook for my review and consideration. All opinions are my own.

My Father's House is a combination of historical fiction and literary thriller, The book is based upon the true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty who worked at the Vatican during WWII. He develops a cast of courageous characters that work together to save those at risk during the German occupation of Rome. This group gets together weekly to discuss plans under the guise of being the choir. They sing during the meeting so any one listening cannot hear the one on one conversations going on during the practice.
The Gestapo knows that they are helping people and is constantly trying to capture this team of people. This group is risking their lives to save the lives of others. The audiobook is done by a number of narrators which makes it easier to tell the difference between characters.
This book is the first of a series, I am planning to read the future books.
The audiobook does not have any discussion at the end to tell you what was fiction and what was fact. I really like it if the author provides this information at the end. I did a lot of research to try and figure out the facts.

Thank you Dreamscape and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. Topic 5 stars, storyline pace and content, 1 star. Narrators were suitable.
I managed to make it through half the book with forced effort.
I listen to 99% of the books I read, however this book was really confusing.
I purchased the kindle book to see if seeing the words would help. It did not.
After completing 55%, I skipped to the end to read the author’s note, which sometimes help me appreciate a work of fiction. It did not.
Because character development seemed so disjointed, I am not even interested in how their story ends.
For those that loved this story, I wish I could have connected and enjoyed the story. My loss.

For the most part, I did enjoy this audiobook. The many narrators helped make the characters come alive for me. (There was only one narrator that grated on my nerves a bit when he would gasp for air loudly between sentences). The story as a whole as a wee bit hard to follow. I restarted it twice and still always felt like I missed something. When we finally get to the big event the novel was counting down to, I still only had a vague idea of what was happening. The descriptive language was a bit much at times and was distracting. I giggled a few times at its absurdity.
Though there were times that I felt the story was dragging on a bit, somehow the hours listening flew by!

I think my biggest issue with this book was the writing style. I just couldn't get into the story. I wanted to enjoy it and connect with the characters, but it just never happened. I listened to this as an audiobook and enjoyed all of the different narrators. It helped to understand when the switch happened, but I still could not follow the story. I found myself rewinding multiple times because what I was hearing wasn't sinking in. Maybe this one is better in print, not sure though.

Thanks to Net Galley for the audiobook ARC!

really hard to hear but worth the listen.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Joseph O'Connor's novel , My Father's House, is based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty who smuggled thousand of Jews and allied prisoners of war out Nazi occupied Rome. The book describes one sortie of flight, code name Rendimento, from the weeks of preparation through to it's launch on Christmas 1943.
The Monsignor risked his life and well being many times as he and his supporters known as "the choir" worked to hide those in need within Vatican City and to then create an escape line which would deliver them to safety.

For me this amazing story was lost in the telling. The prose is so very ornate that it weighed down what was actually being said. There where points where the story would be reaching particular crescendo and all momentum would be lost , drowned in sea of similes. The story is told in 2 timelines - 1943 and 20 years later - as well as with multiple narrators which made it often confusing to determine who the narrator was in some of the chapters. This may have been amplified by the fact that I was listening to the audio book. I would re-start many chapters thinking I must have missed something.

Perhaps the next installment of this trilogy will let the story shine with less adornment.

My thanks to NetGalley for the advanced Listening copy in exchange for my honest review.

unfortunately I did not enjoy this book. it is rare that I cannot complete a book, but there are too many narrators and too many characters