Conclave by Robert Harris Book Review

 Conclave 

By Robert Harris 

(Now a Major Motion Picture based on this book) 

Published Year: 2016

Page Count: 285 pages 

Medium Used: Paperback (HardCover)

Genre : Theological Fiction, Christianity, Selection of Pope, Thriller, Political Intrigues, 2025-read. 

Rating : 4/5 

Holy moly!! The ending is so so so unexpected. It is a gut punch, for sure. But I also finish this book with a sense of calm and an understanding, ascertaining that God's will prevails, in all matters! The first hundred or so pages, i was fully leaning towards DNFing this book. There were so many words and references to scriptures that I didn't understand and had to frantically Google. But as the story progressed, I saw how beautifully narrated it all was! The second half of the book is unputdownable. It was a slow burn. A late bloomer of a book but a very essential book for everyone and anyone looking to find faith in the events of this chaotic world. Mr.Harris doesn't cast a doubt on the God or just a man status of Jesus Christ like the other books about Christianity I read before - The DaVinci Code and The Templar Legacy. He fully accepts that he is God's son and all his apostles and saints are worthy of praise/prayer. 

Now getting into the plot.. The pope has passed away and the next pope has to be elected. I learnt so much about the procedures and the Intrigues that become an inexorable part of the process of selection of a Pope,who is supposed to be the representative of God on earth. Cardinals from around the world participate in a ballot procedure that is fully transparent and secure. For the period of this conclave, the cardinals are cut off from the outside world. They dont use any electronic gadgets or communication devices. In the story, there are five potential candidates for the succession and some of them crave for it and go to great lengths to make it happen. Some others have hidden secrets that come out in the open to exclude their popularity/potency. Then there are some whose vision for the future of Christianity and steering the followers of the faith is unacceptable. In the world where Christian faith is challenged by Islamic terror and there is a fear of absolute chaos in the future, the selection of right person for Pope becomes even more important. And who gets finally selected has to be flawless and utterly deserving of that position as well. What if that someone is not entirely qualified .. by man's rules but passes through God's assistance? I loved the ending!! Do check this out!!