Conclave by Robert HarrisMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The power of God. The ambition of men. This is a remarkable novel; in some respects it is almost audacious in scope as Robert Harris enters the secret world of the Conclave when a new Pope is to be appointed by the Roman Catholic cardinals in a world becoming increasingly secular. I found myself immersed in the papal conclave - St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Apostolic Palace, Casa Santa Marta, and the ambitions and rivalries amongst one hundred and eighteen cardinals from all over the globe. There is intrigue, there are those who worship God, others who perhaps worship the church more. The liberals, the traditionalists, the reformers. The overly ambitious… And in seventy-two hours one of them will become the most powerful spiritual figure on earth…
So, how do you create a thriller from such a scenario? How do you create a sense of deep foreboding that something is amiss? How do you rock the very foundation of the catholic church with an ending that leaves the reader numb with shock? Robert Harris achieves all of this, focusing the plot around Cardinal Lomeli, Dean of the College of Cardinals, whose task is to conduct the Conclave.
Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks… Who could foresee the crisis coming….
A most intelligent thriller. One of the best that I have read this year. Highly recommended.
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