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The Confessional
Mirta and Roberto DeSalvo, refugees from the Dirty War of Argentina (1976-83), owe their lives to wealthy American, Julia Parks. Soon after the DeSalvos are settled in the employ of Julia in Northern California, Julia discovers her brief affair with a young priest on the lonely Oregon coast has led to an unexpected late-in-life pregnancy. Free-spirited Julia has no intention of adding a man or a baby to her full and glamorous life. When she asks the DeSalvos to adopt her newborn, Francesca, they have no honorable choice but to accept, even though it means they will not return to Argentina to search for their missing granddaughter, Cristina. Although raised in a loving home, Francesca can't help but yearn for her birth mother whom she fantasizes to have been a young impoverished girl forced to give up her baby. When she sets out to find her, secrets begin to surface and lives will never be the same.
- GenresFiction
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2021
About the author
Claudia Ermey
4 books50 followersAfter a skiing accident took me out of my successful chiropractic practice in San Francisco, the right side of my brain started screaming it wanted expression and it wanted it now!
I've always been a writer: A journal writer, chronicling life's joys and wounds; A travel writer, because I've always traveled and am a good photographer both on land and underwater. But because I had a brutal childhood, I wanted to write about family dynamics. . .
Not the autobiographical, you-won't-believe-how-horrible-my-life-was story, but stories where characters are so alive, you always root for them and never forget them. So, although I have 3 advanced college degrees, I completed both Creative and Screen Writing Courses @ UCLA and attended many writing seminars & retreats. I work weekly with the accomplished De Luz Writer's critique group all with the intention of understanding and honing craft.
I also enjoy tutoring young writers in the craft of writing and volunteer in a young reader's program to grow future readers of tomorrow.
I've always been a writer: A journal writer, chronicling life's joys and wounds; A travel writer, because I've always traveled and am a good photographer both on land and underwater. But because I had a brutal childhood, I wanted to write about family dynamics. . .
Not the autobiographical, you-won't-believe-how-horrible-my-life-was story, but stories where characters are so alive, you always root for them and never forget them. So, although I have 3 advanced college degrees, I completed both Creative and Screen Writing Courses @ UCLA and attended many writing seminars & retreats. I work weekly with the accomplished De Luz Writer's critique group all with the intention of understanding and honing craft.
I also enjoy tutoring young writers in the craft of writing and volunteer in a young reader's program to grow future readers of tomorrow.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 18, 2021
“If you’re looking for a great read, you can’t do better than The Confessional, a well-crafted generational story that skillfully illuminates the resilient lives of characters touched by horrific loss and betrayal, loved ones stolen in the night, and the search for a birth mother hiding in plain sight. This is a heartwarming read you won’t be able to put down. Highly recommended.”
~David Putnam
Author of The Bruno Johnson series
~David Putnam
Author of The Bruno Johnson series
June 17, 2021
Incredible book with history of Dirty War in Argentina that was from 1976 to 1983 and refugees that escaped to America. Highly rated by my famous actor brother, R. Lee Ermey (The Gunny) in Full Metal Jacket that wanted to play the bad guy colonel who tortured many. The book keeps you wanting to get to the next page. Super drama!
Jack Ermey
Jack Ermey
June 19, 2021
This book is a tale about a family's life caught up in the horrific dirty war of Argentina (which is not too well known in the US) and the it's after effects. The book is well written and utterly impossible to put down once it is started. The author is extremely talented in creating characters, dialogue, and a story full of meaning and intrigue simultaneously.
June 21, 2021
Captivating.
A unique love story and a glimpse of Argentina’s Dirty War. Satisfies the reader in search of an unusual romantic journey and those seeking an introduction to personal testimony of the casualties of war and brutal dictatorship.
A unique love story and a glimpse of Argentina’s Dirty War. Satisfies the reader in search of an unusual romantic journey and those seeking an introduction to personal testimony of the casualties of war and brutal dictatorship.
Read
February 2, 2022THE CONFESSIONAL is a sweeping narrative that spans multiple continents and follows several generations of mothers and daughters, bound by familial ties yet separated by secrets.
Exploring the complexities of motherhood through the heartbreaking lens of Argentina’s Dirty War, this novel will surely appeal to fans of both historical fiction and unique mother-daughter tales.
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2022/01/31/secre...
Exploring the complexities of motherhood through the heartbreaking lens of Argentina’s Dirty War, this novel will surely appeal to fans of both historical fiction and unique mother-daughter tales.
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2022/01/31/secre...
April 1, 2022
“The Confessional” by Claudia Ermey has been a truly engaging book from front cover to the back cover.
I looked forward to reading this book until it’s completion.
The complex story, was deep and alive with riveting moments throughout.
Insight into the dirty war of Argentina was a look into humanity’s darkest and horrific side… astounding yet,… true..sobering
Two different worlds, in scenery, past experiences with past influences bringing the characters in the story together seamlessly. The character development of each person in the book keeps the pages turning. This book brought out so many emotions in me from laughter, tears, frustration, insight, hoping, and hopeful curiosity.
The actual writing, is exquisite… like poetry, or a beautiful painting of many different colors. The descriptions luscious and evocative, inspirational and real., captivating and satisfying.
I recommend this book highly.
I looked forward to reading this book until it’s completion.
The complex story, was deep and alive with riveting moments throughout.
Insight into the dirty war of Argentina was a look into humanity’s darkest and horrific side… astounding yet,… true..sobering
Two different worlds, in scenery, past experiences with past influences bringing the characters in the story together seamlessly. The character development of each person in the book keeps the pages turning. This book brought out so many emotions in me from laughter, tears, frustration, insight, hoping, and hopeful curiosity.
The actual writing, is exquisite… like poetry, or a beautiful painting of many different colors. The descriptions luscious and evocative, inspirational and real., captivating and satisfying.
I recommend this book highly.
February 8, 2024
I needed a book to keep me awake while feeding my baby in the wee hours. The Confessional was just the ticket! I was enthralled by the characters and their situations and found myself thinking of them — almost daydreaming — until I could continue reading again.
The Confessional also got me interested in learning more about the Dirty War of Argentina. I kept looking up things while I was reading. Claudia Ermey did excellent research for this book!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and hope it gets turned into a movie one day!
The Confessional also got me interested in learning more about the Dirty War of Argentina. I kept looking up things while I was reading. Claudia Ermey did excellent research for this book!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and hope it gets turned into a movie one day!
September 29, 2021
Interesting ending
September 29, 2021
Knew nothing about the Argentine War. Amazing characters and subplots! Great read
November 22, 2022
Claudia Ermey's The Confessional is a fantastic book that have me captivated until I finish indulging my emotions in it. It is engrossing, emotional, and each chapter leave me longing for the next chapter.
The book detailed the story of a family torn apart, and the quest for a reunion. Mirta's family was attacked on an early morning in Argentina by some gangs of soldiers. Her husband, Alberto tried his best to restrict them but it all proved abortive, the soldiers captured Teresa and her child, Cristina. This was followed by the season of Mirta's anguish over her missing daughter and granddaughter, she began to search endlessly for them.
Mirta's search grew increasingly despondent. She joined other women whose family members were kidnapped by these cruel soldiers to search for their kids, many of them protested but were ignored. It was dreadful reading about Mirta's torture in ESMA. The description of this scene is brutal and horrifying. Mirta, just like her daughter and other women who were victims was raped, tortured, and humiliated. Mirta's quest for release led the soldiers to demand $10,000 for her ransom, poor Alberto had to do something quickly, otherwise, his lovely wife would die mercilessly.
A relative who worked for a wealthy woman in America was contacted, and Julia Packs was the angel who paid Mirta's ransom. When Mirta get to know about this, she dread how they would pay Julia back, and was shocked knowing that they will be working as a caretaker in her house in America. They had no option, rather than to yield to Julia's proposition. Life in America came with its bit of challenges, Julia at the same time had been pregnant, and when she was put to bed - handed her baby to Mirta's care as part of their repayment for her help, that was how Mirta and Alberto took responsibility for a child whom they weren't her true biological parents, forgetting the quest to seek for their granddaughter, Cristina.
The story unfolds to the season of Francesca's upbringing. Mirta remained loyal to the angel that saved her life from the hands of the cruel Army in ESMA. I love the scenario of the love and bond that exist between Alberto, Mirta, and Francesca, at each point of Francesca's age, they dread telling her about her parent until she clocked the age of thirteen. Getting to know her identity, Francesca grew upset, she blamed Mirta and stylishly developed some hatred against her for not being her mother. This was hard on Mirta and it crushed her heart that each time Francesca made her feel bad reminded her of her daughter, Teresa, and granddaughter, Cristina. Reading this part was full of emotion as I could feel Mirta's pain from Claudia's writing style.
This was followed by a season of realization, Francesca graduated and was offered a check for $500,000 by her mother. She would be leaving Mirta and Alberto to start a new life, and this in turn would create a new avenue for Mirta to look for her daughter after years of paying allegiance to someone else's daughter. The suggestion of her return to Argentina was turned down by Alberto who doesn't want anything that would link them back to Argentina as he tries to bury the memory and scars of their horrible life experience in Argentina. Mirta was insistent and passionate about finding Cristina, just as her step took a twist of Fate.
I will restrict from revealing further in an attempt to keep this review spoiler free, however, I would love you to want to check out for yourself what becomes of Francesca, will she be able to find her mother? If she does, would she be able to love her like she loved Mirta? How about Mirta, would she be able to find Cristina despite the years they've gone missing? Perhaps the war would leave a permanent scar on their family separation, or would they be reunited again? Claudia Ermey has told a fantastic story that held me captivated until I finish indulging my emotions in the book. The book is wonderfully written, with compelling characterization, plot twists, and storytelling techniques. I would love to read this again just for the love of it, and I recommend The Confessional to lovers of fiction and literature at large.
The book detailed the story of a family torn apart, and the quest for a reunion. Mirta's family was attacked on an early morning in Argentina by some gangs of soldiers. Her husband, Alberto tried his best to restrict them but it all proved abortive, the soldiers captured Teresa and her child, Cristina. This was followed by the season of Mirta's anguish over her missing daughter and granddaughter, she began to search endlessly for them.
Mirta's search grew increasingly despondent. She joined other women whose family members were kidnapped by these cruel soldiers to search for their kids, many of them protested but were ignored. It was dreadful reading about Mirta's torture in ESMA. The description of this scene is brutal and horrifying. Mirta, just like her daughter and other women who were victims was raped, tortured, and humiliated. Mirta's quest for release led the soldiers to demand $10,000 for her ransom, poor Alberto had to do something quickly, otherwise, his lovely wife would die mercilessly.
A relative who worked for a wealthy woman in America was contacted, and Julia Packs was the angel who paid Mirta's ransom. When Mirta get to know about this, she dread how they would pay Julia back, and was shocked knowing that they will be working as a caretaker in her house in America. They had no option, rather than to yield to Julia's proposition. Life in America came with its bit of challenges, Julia at the same time had been pregnant, and when she was put to bed - handed her baby to Mirta's care as part of their repayment for her help, that was how Mirta and Alberto took responsibility for a child whom they weren't her true biological parents, forgetting the quest to seek for their granddaughter, Cristina.
The story unfolds to the season of Francesca's upbringing. Mirta remained loyal to the angel that saved her life from the hands of the cruel Army in ESMA. I love the scenario of the love and bond that exist between Alberto, Mirta, and Francesca, at each point of Francesca's age, they dread telling her about her parent until she clocked the age of thirteen. Getting to know her identity, Francesca grew upset, she blamed Mirta and stylishly developed some hatred against her for not being her mother. This was hard on Mirta and it crushed her heart that each time Francesca made her feel bad reminded her of her daughter, Teresa, and granddaughter, Cristina. Reading this part was full of emotion as I could feel Mirta's pain from Claudia's writing style.
This was followed by a season of realization, Francesca graduated and was offered a check for $500,000 by her mother. She would be leaving Mirta and Alberto to start a new life, and this in turn would create a new avenue for Mirta to look for her daughter after years of paying allegiance to someone else's daughter. The suggestion of her return to Argentina was turned down by Alberto who doesn't want anything that would link them back to Argentina as he tries to bury the memory and scars of their horrible life experience in Argentina. Mirta was insistent and passionate about finding Cristina, just as her step took a twist of Fate.
I will restrict from revealing further in an attempt to keep this review spoiler free, however, I would love you to want to check out for yourself what becomes of Francesca, will she be able to find her mother? If she does, would she be able to love her like she loved Mirta? How about Mirta, would she be able to find Cristina despite the years they've gone missing? Perhaps the war would leave a permanent scar on their family separation, or would they be reunited again? Claudia Ermey has told a fantastic story that held me captivated until I finish indulging my emotions in the book. The book is wonderfully written, with compelling characterization, plot twists, and storytelling techniques. I would love to read this again just for the love of it, and I recommend The Confessional to lovers of fiction and literature at large.
October 10, 2021
I love books that take me to another world and time. And I learn something. I knew a little about the Dirty War in Argentine but hearing about it through characters whose lives it changed forever is a moving experience. In The Confessional, a couple lose their daughter and granddaughter in Argentina's Dirty War. On the lonely Oregon coast, a child is the result of the illicit love between a woman and a priest. This story is a compelling rendering of how war and love thousands of miles apart create trauma that ripples through two generations and emerges as love, understanding and forgiveness.
April 1, 2022
I read Claudia’s other book and was looking forward to this one! Claudia’s writing and character development draws me in and I can picture the characters and the surroundings. I love history books so her stories and characters deliver!
Her book has layers and textures that I appreciate
so she keeps me reading straight through.
Since Claudia has lived a rich and textured life, it shows in her writing.
Bravo Claudia!
Her book has layers and textures that I appreciate
so she keeps me reading straight through.
Since Claudia has lived a rich and textured life, it shows in her writing.
Bravo Claudia!
July 3, 2021
The Confessional explores the often-complex relationships between mothers and daughters, brings us to examine our own story of how we were or weren’t loved and about how we share our love with daughters both biological and not. And the novel accomplishes this through life events both epic and ordinary. You will fall in love with all these women, I promise.
October 28, 2021
Ermey’s novel is a tour de force taking the reader from the Dirty Wars of Argentina to California and the coast of Oregon. The characters, who I immediately thought of as friends, were artfully drawn together for a well researched, emotionally charged read that I couldn’t put down.
August 14, 2023
I could not put this book down!!! I’ve never read a novel this quickly, over a weekend, as I have a very full schedule. In the car, on my way to a couple of gigs and every spare moment this weekend, my face was buried in this book. Not only did I learn about the Dirty War in Argentina, the story was intriguing and so well put together. I never got bored as Ms. Ermey kept my attention fresh by the way she would move from era to era. The beautiful details made me feel like I was there in each scene. This should be made into a film. I don’t want to spoil any of the details but I encourage everyone to read it. It made my heart expand, contract and expand again. I highly recommend it.
March 10, 2023
Daytona Beach Shores Community Center Book Club reader Barb B said:
This book was a delight to read. It just continued to hold my interest because I could not guess what was coming next. Some education included (i.e. the Argentine Dirty War)
Sometimes it got a little bit slow but not for long. Before you know it two more characters become involved and the story just seems to evolve. The ending was terrific. #BookTribBC
This book was a delight to read. It just continued to hold my interest because I could not guess what was coming next. Some education included (i.e. the Argentine Dirty War)
Sometimes it got a little bit slow but not for long. Before you know it two more characters become involved and the story just seems to evolve. The ending was terrific. #BookTribBC
August 15, 2024
This is a compelling story of the worst and best of humankind. The Confessional weaves the horrific history of Argentina’s Dirty War—when those who opposed the regime were tortured and murdered—with a personal tale of family, motherhood lost and found, revenge, and sacrificial love. The terrific story at the heart of this moving, ambitious, and far-reaching novel had me thinking, yet again, about the many places around the world where human life and human rights have no value.
July 23, 2024
KIRKUS REVIEW PRAISES
THE CONFESSIONAL
*Thoroughly well researched
*A moving tale of loss, loyalty and rebirth
*A gripping story of Argentinian refugees piecing their lives back together after escaping to the U.S.
GET IT!
THE CONFESSIONAL
*Thoroughly well researched
*A moving tale of loss, loyalty and rebirth
*A gripping story of Argentinian refugees piecing their lives back together after escaping to the U.S.
GET IT!
March 22, 2024
This book received Literary Titan’s Gold Book Award
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews