Joseph O’Connor’s Shadowplay won novel of the year at the 2019 Irish book awards and was shortlisted for the Costa Novel award. He also writes stage and screenplays, short stories, nonfiction and radio diaries. This formidable talent for writing across genres is reflected in his masterly 10th novel, which should reap similar plaudits.
Based on a true story, and several real characters, My Father’s House opens in September 1943 with wartime Rome as its memorable backdrop. The city is occupied by German forces and the Gestapo commander, Paul Hauptmann, rules with an iron fist. (His torture chambers are housed in the former German Cultural Institute, “his favoured interrogation tool is the blowtorch”.) The one place he can’t control is the Vatican City, deemed a neutral, independent country. It harbours diplomats, as well as priests, several of whom dedicate themselves to helping Jews and escaped allied prisoners get out of Rome.
