The Italian Chapel
Published on 8. March 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-78530-164-3 (ISBN)
Description
Orkney 1942. Forbidden lovers, divided by war, united by a secret act of creation.
Amid the turmoil of the Second World War, a group of Italian prisoners is sent to the remote Orkney island of Lamb Holm. In the freezing conditions, hunger and untold hardships of Camp 60, this ragtag band must work together to survive.
Domenico, a talented artist, is among them. He inspires his comrades to create a symbol of peace during these dark days of war, and out of driftwood and scrap they build the Italian chapel: a beacon of hope and beauty in a world ravaged by war.
The chapel soon becomes a place of love, too. When Giuseppe, another POW, falls for local woman Fiona, he decides to hide a token of his love there . . . the secret of which is unveiled for the first time in The Italian Chapel.
Based on an incredible true story, this heartbreaking and inspiring tale tells of forbidden passion, lifelong friendships and the triumph of the human spirit.
Amid the turmoil of the Second World War, a group of Italian prisoners is sent to the remote Orkney island of Lamb Holm. In the freezing conditions, hunger and untold hardships of Camp 60, this ragtag band must work together to survive.
Domenico, a talented artist, is among them. He inspires his comrades to create a symbol of peace during these dark days of war, and out of driftwood and scrap they build the Italian chapel: a beacon of hope and beauty in a world ravaged by war.
The chapel soon becomes a place of love, too. When Giuseppe, another POW, falls for local woman Fiona, he decides to hide a token of his love there . . . the secret of which is unveiled for the first time in The Italian Chapel.
Based on an incredible true story, this heartbreaking and inspiring tale tells of forbidden passion, lifelong friendships and the triumph of the human spirit.
Reviews / Votes
"An engaging story of hope set against the backdrop of the Second World War." SCOTSMAN MAGAZINE "A straightforward good read bolstered by some solid research which helps make the tale all the more believable." ROSS-SHIRE JOURNAL "If you buy one Orkney related book this year, make sure it is this one." LIVING ORKNEYMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bonnier Books Ltd
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
218 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78530-164-3 (9781785301643)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Philip Paris
The Italian Chapel
Book
03/2014
Black and White Publishing
€29.89
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Author, playwright and journalist Philip Paris lives in the Highlands of Scotland and is best known for the historical fiction and non-fiction books he wrote about the Italian chapel, built during WW2 by Italian POWs in Orkney. His contemporary novel, Men Cry Alone, broke new ground in raising the profile of domestic abuse against men. His stage play, Casting Off, played to sell-out audiences in the autumn of 2015. The hilarious storyline is taken to new heights in his latest novel by the same name.