My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor

For almost 10 years I’ve been raving about the historical thrillers of Alan Furst. Set in continental Europe during the run-up and early years of World War II his novels, with few, if any exceptions follow a formula. A 40-something male protagonist, almost always without any formal military or intelligence training finds himself in the fight against the Nazis. As I burned through the various novels of Furst’s Night Soldiers series I soon developed an appetite for World War II-flavored fiction, be it set in Europe like the works of Philip Kerr, or the American home front like Dan Fesperman’s The Letter Writer.

But alas Furst is 80 years old and quite possibly has written his last novel, while Kerr passed away a few years ago. Lately I’ve been wondering if there’s an author out there who might follow in the footsteps of Furst, or even Kerr and a bless us with series of enjoyable thrillers set in wartime Europe. After discovering at the public library a copy of Irish writer Joseph O’Connor historical thriller My Father’s House I might have an answer.

Published in 2023 by Europa Press, the same publishing house that introduced the English-speaking world to the novels of Elena Ferrante (or if you’re me, the fiction of Alergian-Italian Amara Lakhous) O’Connor’s novel shares much with Furst’s time-honored template. Our hero is Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, a middle-aged Irish cleric and seminary instructor assigned  to the Vatican during World War II. A citizen of neutral Ireland residing within the confines of neutral Vatican City, his situation isn’t as dire when compared to almost everyone else in Italy and occupied Europe.

But after witnessing Nazi thugs assault a Jewish couple on the street in Rome and the mistreatment of Allied POWs in a German-run camp he sheds his neutrality with a vengeance. Before long he’s recruited a small multinational cabal of individuals to help spirit escaped POWs to the Italian countryside. Unfortunately, these covert activities have not gone unnoticed by the German high command. As the Nazi noose begins to tighten O’Flaherty and his conspirators fear it’s only a matter of time before they’re are caught and executed.

This is a great piece of historical fiction because O’Connor is an excellent writer. His carefully crafted supporting characters, each with intriguing backstories help narrate the story from their own perspectives. Those sharing their voices range from a world-weary Italian countess to the wife of an Irish diplomat to a pugnacious British jazz saxophonist and former bouncer.

Intriguing most of all is the Monsignor himself. Highly educated, fluent in multiple languages and versed in the ancient languages of the Bible he’s a cultured man comfortable at the opera or an art exhibition. But true to his humble Irish roots he’s just as comfortable discussing boxing matches with Italian workmen. And he can throw both insults and punches when needed.

Not only is this is the first novel of a planned trilogy, it’s also one of the best novels I’ve read this year. Lastly, as I mentioned in an early post it’s also based on a true story. Alan Furst fans take note, this one’s for you.