Review: Conclave

Conclave by Robert Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This one deserves a 5-star because it gives a detailed account of the process by which a cardinal becomes a Pope of the Catholic Church (or Universal Church as described in the book). Fabulously written, the author details the election process, the practice followed and the finer details of the Vatican Church. To provide a gist, the Pope is dead and invitations are sent out to 118 cardinals the world over and they congregate at Vatican to elect the new Pope. There is mystery, intrigue and intense lobbying by the cardinals that follows for electing the Pope. The main character Jacopo Lomeli has to preside over the ballot process and he is made privy to secrets and corruption among the cardinals which makes his job difficult. Aspersions are also cast on the mental health of previous Pope and the circumstances that led to his final few hours on deathbed. Overall, a fine work of fiction and an engrossing book that kept me on tenterhooks. Probably the shortest time I have taken to read a book this year.

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