Review: Conclave: A novel by Robert Harris
Dear Robert Harris,
I have a couple of your books on my Kindle, but have not read any of them prior to this one. I picked up this one because a book blogger I enjoy listening to reviewed it and she did not even particularly like it because she found it too slow! But something compelled me to pick it up. Really the only thing that happens in the story are the cardinals trying to elect a new Pope. I do not mind reading books with religion being front and center, but I usually prefer such religion to be a made up one and if I decide to read a fictional book with the real religion being front and center Catholicism will probably be the last of my choices.
I am still in shock trying to figure out what happened to me when I was reading this story, because I found it *gripping*. I could not put it down even despite the fact that any more or less experienced reader would know who will become a Pope the moment this character appears in the story. And I was still so intrigued and I am trying to figure out why as I am typing this review.
The only thing that I can pinpoint for sure is that I really liked the narrator – the story is written from the third person limited POV and the reader is in the POV of the Cardinal Lomelli, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, whose job is to manage the Conclave, to manage the Pope’s elections. I somehow found his spiritual struggles to be relatable and very sympathetic even though his situation in life is nowhere near resembling mine.
I also liked how the author managed so many characters (all 118 of them). Of course we get to know only several of them (five? Six?) but somehow he managed to make even some of the cardinals who got very few lines in the story memorable to me.
I really liked how faith was described in the book. For all the main characters the faith was just there, it existed without any questions and of course high powered officials of the Church better be sincere believers in God, because otherwise they would be massive hypocrites, BUT I am not always convinced when sincere faith is portrayed in the book (not just this one) and to me the author succeeded doing this.
Grade : A
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During the most recent conclave, I was visiting with relatives. Somehow the topic came up and I announced – with absolute certainty – the popular opinion that an American would never be elected. An hour or so later, my relative looked up from her phone in amazement and said – “They’ve elected an American as the Pope.” I think my feeling was “Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit.”
CONCLAVE was one of my favorite books and the movie was spectacular, something that seldom happens. I, too, was gripped, Sirius, didn’t find it slow at all. As I think back, I felt hopeful at the end. Books set in the Vatican inevitably draw me in; this one didn’t even have a crime to be solved or a special investigator called in. The ordinary (mostly) workings of a conclave were riveting enough. I’m so glad you liked it.
My husband and I happened to watch Conclave during the recent conclave; this was purely by chance as my lengthy library hold on the movie came in at that time. We quite enjoyed it, and I wondered about the book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, @Sirius.
@Darlynne, I’m curious to know how closely the movie followed the book.
@Darlynne: @Kareni: Have either of you watched “The Two Popes”? I enjoyed it a lot.
@Jayne: I have not discussed it with anyone but I did not believe they would ever elect American Pope either :).@Darlynne: I was really surprised. I heard that movie exists and wanted to watch it but for some reason I thought it was on Netflix which after their most recent price increase I turned off and not ready to come back yet, but now I see it is on Prime which I have and will watch. Thank you! Have you read anything else by Harris? I have An officer and a spy, but the real life event a bit painful to read for me right now. I know he is super prolific but not sure which one to choose.@Kareni: Excellent another vote of confidence for the movie.@Jayne: Oh another one to take a look at. Thanks.
You stated so well my own impressions of the book. Thankfully I read it before watching the film and before the 2025 Conclave. As in most cases the book is far superior because the book narration of inner thoughts expands understanding of the inner spirituality, ethics, and politics involved.
I would gladly re-read the book but would not re-watch the film.
@Kareni: I don’t remember how closely the movie followed the book, but I was not disappointed in the movie. Is that faint praise? Maybe, but Ralph Fiennes’ performance and others were outstanding.
@Jayne: I must have watched the Two Popes, the summary sounds quite familiar. In case I haven’t, another to add to my list.
@Sirius: I’ve read GHOST, also made into a movie, both were riveting albeit different. I can’t believe that’s the only other one because I enjoy his work; perhaps I’m thinking of other Vatican thrillers, i.e. Daniel Silva.
@Elizabeth: I agree that in most cases book is superior to the movie. @Darlynne: Thank you I will check Ghost out