The surprisingly gripping story of electing a pope

My dad recommended this book to me after reading it. I looked at the cover art. 'So I'm guessing it's kind of like Dan Brown, then, is it, Dad?' I asked. He laughed and said, 'Not really, except that it's surprisingly gripping.'

He was not wrong.

Robert Harris's imaginings of the internal machinations of the highest echelons of the Catholic Church between the death of the Pontiff and the election of his successor is more than ably served by Roy McMillan's masterful narration. The subject matter has no right to be this thrilling, and yet it is. I loved it.

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1 person found this helpful

continuously engaging

book was beautifully paced always engaging and the readers management of different voices exceptional. worth 6 stars

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Brilliant and oh what a twist!

Fantastic story. The research into the machinations of electing the new pope and the workings of the Catholic Church is superb. Intelligent and thought provoking. Masterful story telling and an unexpected twist that put a smile on my face. Page turner - very cleverly written.

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3 people found this helpful

Twists & turns

The story, the delivery, this was a really enjoyable listen. Harris knows how to keep you enthralled, whether you know the topic of religion or not.

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Exceptional story

I've just read this for the second time, it's extremely interesting and very well researched.

PS: addendum - I have just read this book again, so that now makes three times I've listened. I enjoyed it just as much, I seem to find something else each time I listen.

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Turning 'watching paint dry' into a great thriller

A colleague lent me this book as she knew I liked Robert Harris. But I had never intended to read 'Conclave' as I have no interest in popes or religion. The book sat on my shelf for a year and made me feel guilty as I needed to return the book and knew that I would be asked the question 'what did you think about X, Y and Z? "

So I downloaded Conclave on audio and sped it up to x1.5 to get it over and done with quickly. But after the first three chapters I was enthralled and returned it to normal speed so I didn't miss any details. And what a story! Honestly, Robert Harris could write a novel entitled 'Watching Paint Dry" and it would end up being a bestselling, ripsnorter of a thriller!

The research, characterisation, sense of place and occasion and the study of ambition is wonderful. The competitive edge keeps the pages turning and I absolutely loved the ending even though it was telegraphed a few chapters out.

Loved it!

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Fantastic

This is a great read, as you'd expect from this author. Fantastic for a Catholic who was taught that the Church is perfect and the Pope cannot be wrong. Robert Harris has a way of putting you right there - in this case, in the Sistine Chapel at the Conclave of cardinals who are electing the next pope. And blow me down, they have egos. That gives the author lots of scope to emphasise the thinking of a truly spiritual person, thus making the book very nourishing, reminding the reader of what's important. Only flaw, as much as it had me all the way until the end, I was disappointed with the ending - I thought it was just a bit too implausible and unconvincing. But after all, it is only a story.

By the way, the reader was top notch.

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Enjoyable, even if somewhat obvious

enjoyable and worthy of a listen. Just don't expect deep intrigue or unexpected plot twists

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What a Ripper!

As a deeply secular person, I didn't expect to like Conclave at all. It is a book about the powerful male players within the Roman Catholic Church. The female characters are subservient, non-entities or victims. What's there to like, given all that, the liturgical incantations and the constant appeals to the Deity?

This novel is full of surprises and mesmeric moments, such that it's preferable if you can, read this novel in one sitting. Harris is masterful and succeeds in capturing the reader's full attention.

The complex interplay between power, politics, deceit and corruption is a Siren's Song. Once drawn in, you are compelled to stay for the duration and beyond. Well beyond..........

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1 person found this helpful

A great story rread with extaordinary clarity.

I loved the reader's abilty to provide the voices of so men of many different nations.

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