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The Italian Chapel: From the bestselling author of THE LAST WITCH OF SCOTLAND
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 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 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.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
July 13, 2014
A delightful, life-affirming read inspired by the true story of Camp 60, Italian POW captives at Lamb Holm, Orkney Islands, building the causeways and then a chapel, saved from destruction and still standing today.
The author has added some fictional characters where information has been lost, but many of the events are based on actual events that took place, its tragic, funny, uplifting and somewhat reassuring in terms of humanity and its underlying need for building bridges between people and maintaining hope.
Would make a fabulous film!
Totally recommend for summer reading. I read the kindle version.
Full review here at Word by Word.
The author has added some fictional characters where information has been lost, but many of the events are based on actual events that took place, its tragic, funny, uplifting and somewhat reassuring in terms of humanity and its underlying need for building bridges between people and maintaining hope.
Would make a fabulous film!
Totally recommend for summer reading. I read the kindle version.
Full review here at Word by Word.
June 15, 2024
I loved the story and the characters, many based on real people, and next time I visit Scotland, Orkney will be on my list to visit. Truly wonderful story of friendship during wartime.
April 15, 2013
Despite being an atheist I do like churches as buildings and after reading this I want to visit Orkney to see the Italian Chapel.
July 2, 2021
I visited this beautifully maintained chapel on Lamb Holm off Mainland Orkney a few days ago. The story of the 550 Italian prisoners-of-war who were stationed here during the Second World War, and who built the chapel in grim conditions, with few resources, under the guidance of Domenico Chiocchetti, is inspiring.
I found some fascinating and well-written articles written by the author, Philip Paris, both in 'The Guardian' and 'Italy Magazine'. Paris has done a huge amount of research on the subject.
Sadly, the writing in this novel doesn't do the story justice. I feel Paris' foray into fiction was unnecessary: there is enough drama, passion, conflict, and heroism in the story as it stands in history.The novel adds little to what you can find out about the story online and in brochures.
The writing style is dull, the text full 0f clichés and platitudes, and the dialogue, often used as a means of information dumping, stilted. Characters are constantly beaming, exclaiming, blurting and grinning, accompanied by dozens of superfluous adverbs.
But if you're ever this way, do the visit the chapel!
I found some fascinating and well-written articles written by the author, Philip Paris, both in 'The Guardian' and 'Italy Magazine'. Paris has done a huge amount of research on the subject.
Sadly, the writing in this novel doesn't do the story justice. I feel Paris' foray into fiction was unnecessary: there is enough drama, passion, conflict, and heroism in the story as it stands in history.The novel adds little to what you can find out about the story online and in brochures.
The writing style is dull, the text full 0f clichés and platitudes, and the dialogue, often used as a means of information dumping, stilted. Characters are constantly beaming, exclaiming, blurting and grinning, accompanied by dozens of superfluous adverbs.
But if you're ever this way, do the visit the chapel!
July 5, 2014
4.5 Stars.
This is a beautifully inspiring book, which just oozes charm and wonder. A big heart for this one. This fictional story based on true life events is set amidst the chaos and heartache of the Second World War. Italian prisoners of war are transported to the tiny Orkney island of Lamb Holm in January 1942. There they work together against the odds and the Scottish elements, to build the Churchill Barriers at Scapa Flow and a lasting monument to peace, and reconciliation. When Padre Giacomo arrives at the camp the spirits of the men begin to improve bolstered by his spiritual presence. The camp is awash with skilled men, no more so than Domenico Chiocchetti, a talented artist, and a sculpter. Domenico suggests building a chapel in the camp, constructing it out of two Nissan huts joined together. He can’t begin to do this without the British camp commanders go ahead, but they agree. The building of the chapel draws the men together in a shared vision to create, rather than to destroy. The results are spectacular, transforming the two original Nissan huts beyond recognition. The characters in The Italian Chapel, breathe, you can almost hear the chatter and the camaraderie of these Italians, far from home, freezing in the Scottish weather, dedicated to a shared task to build a Chapel, a place of peace, a safe haven away from the horrors of war. The story is absorbing, uplifting, at times sad, but ultimately happy and triumphant. The relationships that developed between the Italians and the local people, and the respect that grew between them is an amazing testament to the power of human spirit, and selflessness in the face of adversity. The Chapel still stands as a true monument to hope, for generations to come.
I found this novel so hard to rate. I just loved it so much! All the characters are portrayed beautifully, the dialogue, scene and setting are superb, but perhaps the romance between Giuseppe and Fiona could have been developed a little bit more. This is not surprising if you read the Author’s Note at the end of the novel. At times I felt that I wanted more time with these two characters, so that is why I am giving The Italian Chapel 4.5 stars instead of 5. I would highly recommend this beautiful novel to readers who enjoy historical fiction, romance, and anyone who would like to read an uplifting story, that just grabs your attention from the very start.
The author’s epilogue helps to clarify fact from fiction. The final quote of the epilogue reads: “The chapel remains, fragile and immortal, a symbol of peace and hope from people long gone for those yet to come.” Though if you want the true story look no further than Philip Paris’s non-fiction book, Orkney’s Italian Chapel: The True Story of an Icon, also available and published by Black & White, www.blackandwhitepublishing.com.
Highly recommended for readers of Historical Fiction, Romance, and anyone who just wants a truly uplifting story!
My reflections on the book: I went to school in Scotland, and lived there for many years, yet I have never seen The Italian Chapel! After reading Philip Paris’s book, I definitely want to remedy this and soon! I enjoyed the book so much that I was very keen to find out more.
Here are some of the resources I found on-line:
http://www.finditinscotland.com/Scott...
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk...
Background information about the Chapel:
The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm in Orkney, Scotland, was built by Italian prisoners of war . 550 Italian prisoners of war, were captured in North Africa during World War II, and were brought to Orkney in 1942. The prisoners were stationed on the island between 1942 and 1945 to help in construction of the Churchill Barriers at Scapa Flow, four causeways created to block access to Scapa Flow. 200 were based at Camp 60 on the island of Lamb Holm. In 1943, Major T P Buckland, the Camp 60′s new commandant, and Father Giacombazzi, the Camp’s priest, agreed that a place of worship was required.
The chapel was constructed from two Nissen huts joined end-to-end. The corrugated interior was then covered with plasterboard and the altar and altar rail were constructed from concrete left over from work on the barriers. Most of the interior decoration was done by Domenico Chiocchetti , a POW from Moena. He painted the sanctuary end of the chapel and fellow-prisoners decorated the entire interior. They created a front facade out of concrete, concealing the shape of the hut and making the building look like a church. He remained on the island to finish the chapel even when his fellow prisoners were released shortly before the end of the war. In 1958 the Chapel Preservation Committee was set up by a group of Orcadians and in 1960 Chiocchetti returned to the chapel to assist in the restoration. He returned again in 1964 but was too ill to travel when some of the other prisoners returned in 1992 to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their arrival on the island. He died in 1999. Today the chapel remains a popular tourist attraction, receiving over 100,000 visitors every year. It has become one of the most well-known and moving symbols of reconciliation in the British Isles.
My review is also available @ www.kyrosmagica.wordpress.com. Please join me there.
This is a beautifully inspiring book, which just oozes charm and wonder. A big heart for this one. This fictional story based on true life events is set amidst the chaos and heartache of the Second World War. Italian prisoners of war are transported to the tiny Orkney island of Lamb Holm in January 1942. There they work together against the odds and the Scottish elements, to build the Churchill Barriers at Scapa Flow and a lasting monument to peace, and reconciliation. When Padre Giacomo arrives at the camp the spirits of the men begin to improve bolstered by his spiritual presence. The camp is awash with skilled men, no more so than Domenico Chiocchetti, a talented artist, and a sculpter. Domenico suggests building a chapel in the camp, constructing it out of two Nissan huts joined together. He can’t begin to do this without the British camp commanders go ahead, but they agree. The building of the chapel draws the men together in a shared vision to create, rather than to destroy. The results are spectacular, transforming the two original Nissan huts beyond recognition. The characters in The Italian Chapel, breathe, you can almost hear the chatter and the camaraderie of these Italians, far from home, freezing in the Scottish weather, dedicated to a shared task to build a Chapel, a place of peace, a safe haven away from the horrors of war. The story is absorbing, uplifting, at times sad, but ultimately happy and triumphant. The relationships that developed between the Italians and the local people, and the respect that grew between them is an amazing testament to the power of human spirit, and selflessness in the face of adversity. The Chapel still stands as a true monument to hope, for generations to come.
I found this novel so hard to rate. I just loved it so much! All the characters are portrayed beautifully, the dialogue, scene and setting are superb, but perhaps the romance between Giuseppe and Fiona could have been developed a little bit more. This is not surprising if you read the Author’s Note at the end of the novel. At times I felt that I wanted more time with these two characters, so that is why I am giving The Italian Chapel 4.5 stars instead of 5. I would highly recommend this beautiful novel to readers who enjoy historical fiction, romance, and anyone who would like to read an uplifting story, that just grabs your attention from the very start.
The author’s epilogue helps to clarify fact from fiction. The final quote of the epilogue reads: “The chapel remains, fragile and immortal, a symbol of peace and hope from people long gone for those yet to come.” Though if you want the true story look no further than Philip Paris’s non-fiction book, Orkney’s Italian Chapel: The True Story of an Icon, also available and published by Black & White, www.blackandwhitepublishing.com.
Highly recommended for readers of Historical Fiction, Romance, and anyone who just wants a truly uplifting story!
My reflections on the book: I went to school in Scotland, and lived there for many years, yet I have never seen The Italian Chapel! After reading Philip Paris’s book, I definitely want to remedy this and soon! I enjoyed the book so much that I was very keen to find out more.
Here are some of the resources I found on-line:
http://www.finditinscotland.com/Scott...
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk...
Background information about the Chapel:
The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm in Orkney, Scotland, was built by Italian prisoners of war . 550 Italian prisoners of war, were captured in North Africa during World War II, and were brought to Orkney in 1942. The prisoners were stationed on the island between 1942 and 1945 to help in construction of the Churchill Barriers at Scapa Flow, four causeways created to block access to Scapa Flow. 200 were based at Camp 60 on the island of Lamb Holm. In 1943, Major T P Buckland, the Camp 60′s new commandant, and Father Giacombazzi, the Camp’s priest, agreed that a place of worship was required.
The chapel was constructed from two Nissen huts joined end-to-end. The corrugated interior was then covered with plasterboard and the altar and altar rail were constructed from concrete left over from work on the barriers. Most of the interior decoration was done by Domenico Chiocchetti , a POW from Moena. He painted the sanctuary end of the chapel and fellow-prisoners decorated the entire interior. They created a front facade out of concrete, concealing the shape of the hut and making the building look like a church. He remained on the island to finish the chapel even when his fellow prisoners were released shortly before the end of the war. In 1958 the Chapel Preservation Committee was set up by a group of Orcadians and in 1960 Chiocchetti returned to the chapel to assist in the restoration. He returned again in 1964 but was too ill to travel when some of the other prisoners returned in 1992 to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their arrival on the island. He died in 1999. Today the chapel remains a popular tourist attraction, receiving over 100,000 visitors every year. It has become one of the most well-known and moving symbols of reconciliation in the British Isles.
My review is also available @ www.kyrosmagica.wordpress.com. Please join me there.
May 24, 2017
A truly heartwarming story and easy to read. I recently visited the chapel and although fictionalised to a degree (as explained in the afterword) it tallies with the stories we heard from locals when we were there.
Highly recommend reading this before or after a visit to this wonderful Chapel in the Orkney islands.
Highly recommend reading this before or after a visit to this wonderful Chapel in the Orkney islands.
November 28, 2020
Very lovely book about the Italian POWs who built a chapel in the Orkney Islands.
October 18, 2025
sarebbe stato una lettura più interessante fosse stato un racconto vero della storia invece di questa versione che mischia la verità con l'immaginazione
May 21, 2014
This book really caught me by surprise and I loved it. I knew nothing about the Italian prisoners in Scotland in ww2 and was fascinated by this story. It's based on fact with fictional elements running through . The little details on how the men used their lives while prisoners, how they, begged and scavenged for resources to build their chapel and the inter relationships between the prisoners the guards and the local population kept me hooked. Nearly all,the men in camp 60 were involved , using their own particular gifts and talents, to build this lovely little church and make it their own. Because of this they were taken into the hearts of the locals which made for a lovely story within an sad period of history. It is a tale of perseverance, determination and friendship .The first thing I did after finishing this book was to google the Orkney isles and now am busy planning a trip there.
May 20, 2016
Couldn't finish it. The author has carried out a great deal of research to ensure the story is an accurate record of events. But well-researched and well-written are two different things. This reads like a newspaper article stretched beyond reason into a 'novel' where the reader is spared no tedious detail.
July 19, 2024
Italian prisoners of war. Day after they arrived had to report to office had 2 holes cut in jackets and one in trousers. Red patches given to cover holes. Easier to see if tried to escape and be shot at. Freezing Orkney winter. Build what was known as Chuechill barriers to stop German U boats getting to naval base known as Scapa flow. They went on strike. Refusing to work until a new camp leader arrived who spoke Italian. Weather warmed up as summer approached. Hobbies including gardening, theater, arts and crafts, reading groups. Progress was slow the huge rocks places in wire cages dropped into the sea dud not appear above the water line. Change of tactic dropped them all in one place and eventually appeared above the tide line. Gave them some inspiration to carry on British officers included. 1944 and Mussolini got the boot. And Italy suspended from the war. Unsettling for POW some thought they should be released. Domenica started work on the chapel. Given 2 small NISSEN HUTS by camp commander. Plans drawn carpenters using what wood they could find started framework inside. Given more freedom by British. Barriers or causeways were now able to be walked along. Plaster board was required to line the chapel where would they get it. Thanks to camp commander and padre a supply arrived stacked outside. Heavy rain started falling it all had to be shifter inside one of their huts to prevent total disaster. POW dived down to what was called blocking ships the search for supplies. Great find was copper stairs.
Decisions by the British army caused decisions within the camp. Not able to release them but can treat them like paid employees. Or if not agree be treated as POW and move to anothe4 camp.
One POW nearly lost his life recovering some Teak from an officers cabin on one of the blocking ships. Recovered of a broken leg and Phnemonia. Outside of nearly completed chapel was still just one of the corrugated iron nixsenhuts. Using the plentiful supply of sand and cement set about converting the front with concrete pillere. Also a mixture of sand and cement on the roof to insulate. Near the end of the war the Churchill barriers were completed. Except for the travel layer on top that was to be laid by the Orkney council. Men moved to England to work on farms. Domenica was given pernpmission to stay a couple more weeks to put finishing touches. Over the years the wind and harsh weather took its toll. The brass bell salvaged f4om one of those ships would toll by itself. In 1958 the women who came to clean the chapel and the head of the catholic church in Orkeny and prominent liacals formed the Italuan chapel preservation society
. Funding needed. Donation box set up. Tried to locate Domrnico via newspapers and local radio and in 1960 thanks mainly to the BBC Domenica returned he was assisted by many local tradesman and another artist. Spent 3 weeks restoring work. He returned again a couple of times. It seems that around 150 000 Italians were held in various parts of the UK during he 11WW. Many returned after married and set up business. The small Italian chapel on the Island of R in zorkney still attracts 1000s of tourists every year. Including myself and my daughter in 2017.
Decisions by the British army caused decisions within the camp. Not able to release them but can treat them like paid employees. Or if not agree be treated as POW and move to anothe4 camp.
One POW nearly lost his life recovering some Teak from an officers cabin on one of the blocking ships. Recovered of a broken leg and Phnemonia. Outside of nearly completed chapel was still just one of the corrugated iron nixsenhuts. Using the plentiful supply of sand and cement set about converting the front with concrete pillere. Also a mixture of sand and cement on the roof to insulate. Near the end of the war the Churchill barriers were completed. Except for the travel layer on top that was to be laid by the Orkney council. Men moved to England to work on farms. Domenica was given pernpmission to stay a couple more weeks to put finishing touches. Over the years the wind and harsh weather took its toll. The brass bell salvaged f4om one of those ships would toll by itself. In 1958 the women who came to clean the chapel and the head of the catholic church in Orkeny and prominent liacals formed the Italuan chapel preservation society
. Funding needed. Donation box set up. Tried to locate Domrnico via newspapers and local radio and in 1960 thanks mainly to the BBC Domenica returned he was assisted by many local tradesman and another artist. Spent 3 weeks restoring work. He returned again a couple of times. It seems that around 150 000 Italians were held in various parts of the UK during he 11WW. Many returned after married and set up business. The small Italian chapel on the Island of R in zorkney still attracts 1000s of tourists every year. Including myself and my daughter in 2017.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2018
I must admit that I found the book a bit of a slow burner at first as the author spent some time setting the scene and introducing the characters. However, as I got to know the characters, I quickly found myself caught up in the story.
The book is, of course, based on a true story and I found the history of how the chapel was built by the Italian prisoners of war quite fascinating. Philip Paris mixes fact with fiction to produce a very readable account of how the building of The Italian Chapel came about. He includes characters who really did exist as well as creating some fictional ones. It was good to read at the back about what happened to the real men after the war, as well as learn that many of the incidents described in the book really did happen, even the more surprising ones. I was fascinated to learn that some of the materials used to build the chapel were salvaged from the scuttled shops at Scapa Flow.
The book put a human face on life in PoW camps. I expect that the experience was probably not the same everywhere but I liked the camp commander Major Buckland. He recognised that nobody on either side wanted to be there and that all had to make the best of it. Forced together through circumstances, the Italian prisoners and their British captors developed trust and respect in their relationships with each other. They soon came to realise that enemies or not, they were all just people with friends and families, hopes and dreams.
A gentle, though forbidden, romance is woven through the story too. This romance was only discovered by chance by the author when he had almost finished the book and he felt he just had to include it. I'm glad he did. The secret literally built into the chapel means I definitely want to go back again to see it for myself.
An impeccably researched, enjoyable story, The Italian Chapel book celebrates love, perseverance and friendship while the building itself stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit under difficult circumstances.
The book is, of course, based on a true story and I found the history of how the chapel was built by the Italian prisoners of war quite fascinating. Philip Paris mixes fact with fiction to produce a very readable account of how the building of The Italian Chapel came about. He includes characters who really did exist as well as creating some fictional ones. It was good to read at the back about what happened to the real men after the war, as well as learn that many of the incidents described in the book really did happen, even the more surprising ones. I was fascinated to learn that some of the materials used to build the chapel were salvaged from the scuttled shops at Scapa Flow.
The book put a human face on life in PoW camps. I expect that the experience was probably not the same everywhere but I liked the camp commander Major Buckland. He recognised that nobody on either side wanted to be there and that all had to make the best of it. Forced together through circumstances, the Italian prisoners and their British captors developed trust and respect in their relationships with each other. They soon came to realise that enemies or not, they were all just people with friends and families, hopes and dreams.
A gentle, though forbidden, romance is woven through the story too. This romance was only discovered by chance by the author when he had almost finished the book and he felt he just had to include it. I'm glad he did. The secret literally built into the chapel means I definitely want to go back again to see it for myself.
An impeccably researched, enjoyable story, The Italian Chapel book celebrates love, perseverance and friendship while the building itself stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit under difficult circumstances.
June 13, 2024
Meh. I didn’t even realise that this was based on a true story until the end as I bought it a really long time ago on Kindle and I’ve recently started to go back through my library from the beginning.
Frankly, I was bored reading this for the most part; you can sum up this entire story with a single sentence and that’s that a bunch of Italian POWs build a church in their camp. That’s literally it. The same story could have been told in half the words and it would have been the same outcome. You could have taken out half the characters and it wouldn’t have mattered because I didn’t feel like I gave a damn about any of them.
For me, there was barely any character development at all and on more than one occasion, I found myself wondering “so who’s this guy now?” Given that it was meant to be based on a true story, it probably would have been better writing it as a biography rather than semi-fiction or whatever the hell this is. I’ve read a lot of war literature (it was a key part of my English literature A level) so my personal view for anyone wondering what they should read in this sub-genre is that there are titles head and shoulders above this book. Another hard pass for me in 2024.
Frankly, I was bored reading this for the most part; you can sum up this entire story with a single sentence and that’s that a bunch of Italian POWs build a church in their camp. That’s literally it. The same story could have been told in half the words and it would have been the same outcome. You could have taken out half the characters and it wouldn’t have mattered because I didn’t feel like I gave a damn about any of them.
For me, there was barely any character development at all and on more than one occasion, I found myself wondering “so who’s this guy now?” Given that it was meant to be based on a true story, it probably would have been better writing it as a biography rather than semi-fiction or whatever the hell this is. I’ve read a lot of war literature (it was a key part of my English literature A level) so my personal view for anyone wondering what they should read in this sub-genre is that there are titles head and shoulders above this book. Another hard pass for me in 2024.
June 21, 2025
A group of Italian POWs are housed in a camp on a remote Scottish island. They yearn for home and build a chapel to enhance their spiritual freedom...
The Italian Chapel is an historical novel based on a true story.
Italian prisoners of war are sent to a remote Scottish island and set to work building a causeway for the islanders. They adapt to life and start work on a chapel to make it feel more homely. This provides a physical, spiritual and emotional connection between the men and with their environment.
I thought this book provided a really interesting perspective. My own family history has Italian roots that led to us changing our surname due to the suspicion about Italians during WW2 (even though my great grandfather had served in the merchant navy during WW1 and his ships were torpedoed twice!). I thought this was a unique tale of POW life and loved that it is based on real life events and the real chapel on Orkney that was built.
The Italian Chapel is a wonderfully authentic and emotional depiction of POW life.
The Italian Chapel is an historical novel based on a true story.
Italian prisoners of war are sent to a remote Scottish island and set to work building a causeway for the islanders. They adapt to life and start work on a chapel to make it feel more homely. This provides a physical, spiritual and emotional connection between the men and with their environment.
I thought this book provided a really interesting perspective. My own family history has Italian roots that led to us changing our surname due to the suspicion about Italians during WW2 (even though my great grandfather had served in the merchant navy during WW1 and his ships were torpedoed twice!). I thought this was a unique tale of POW life and loved that it is based on real life events and the real chapel on Orkney that was built.
The Italian Chapel is a wonderfully authentic and emotional depiction of POW life.
March 28, 2025
Inspired by historical events this book fictionalises the construction of the causeways (Churchill barriers) between the islands and the chapel by Italian POW's at Camp 60 in the Orkney Islands. The book is descriptive of the effects of war, the changing relationships between the British and Italians as the war progressed and also the interaction with the locals. I found the book very interesting and informative of a piece of history I knew little of. I love that building the chapel gave so much to those during diifficult times and that it continues to this day to influence those who visit it. If ever I find myself in the area I would love to see it for myself.
October 5, 2017
I loved this book, probably in large part because we visited this chapel on a trip to Scotland and the Orkney Islands in 2014. The chapel was built by Italian POW's imprisoned there and was completed as WWII ended. We learned the history, heard the stories...and so when I heard about this book I really wanted to read it. It fills in all the things I didn't learn there, except for those facts that have been lost to time. If you get a chance, visit the chapel. Together with it's story, it's awe-inspiring.
October 6, 2019
An excellent guide to the building and work of the Italian chapel, well researched and with personal stories and the co-operation of many Italian families in the collecting of the material and photographs for this book.
Philip gave an excellent talk about this book and his other (novel) about the people of camp 60, and his wit and energy shine through in this volume.
Philip gave an excellent talk about this book and his other (novel) about the people of camp 60, and his wit and energy shine through in this volume.
February 24, 2018
A gripping story of Italian prisoners of war held in the Orkney's islands during WWII. Although fictionalized in some part the basic facts are accurate. A compelling celebration of God's spirit and its universal application to the suffering and hardships experienced by all mankind.
November 19, 2019
I've really liked this story about the creation of the Italian Chapel which I visited this summer.
My only negative point is that the book was too short in the sense that the story felt rushed. I would have loved more details and more character development.
My only negative point is that the book was too short in the sense that the story felt rushed. I would have loved more details and more character development.
February 23, 2024
I got this book out of a 'blind date with a book' selection, the only information was it was 'historical and aspirational' and it definitely lives up to that. This book is inspiring and emotional and touching in a way I never expected.
March 3, 2025
I seen the chapel before reading this book and I wish I read it before, will defo travel there again.. Its a lovely story. Read it when on holidays in Amalfi. Good read for anyone heading to Orkney also
December 27, 2016
Was recommended to me some time ago , and although I thought it was ok , it just didn't do it for me. I felt it went on for too long
May 20, 2017
Having just visited the chapel, I found this book very enjoyable. It is well written and does match the stories that I heard when I was there.
August 12, 2017
Very moving.
August 8, 2018
This is excellent historical fiction! I never knew there was a little Italian chapel in Orkney that I wanted to visit until I read this book. Bravo
December 29, 2018
Very moving story.
March 7, 2022
Fascinating partial fictionalising of the circumstances and people behind the creation of the Italian Chapel built by Italian POWs in Orkney during WW2.
April 30, 2022
4.5 stars
January 4, 2024
Having visited the Italian Chapel many times during my childhood I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Wonderful to find out some of the true stories of the men who built it.
February 24, 2026
It was a marvellous well written story of such determined resilience from the POWs. A pleasure to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews