Conclave is a fictional story based on the Vatican’s practice of holding a sequestered meeting of all Cardinals after the death of the Pope, in order to elect a new Pope. Robert Harris writes historical fiction which is thoroughly researched, but he also creates fictional characters who are well-defined, believable, and interesting. In this case, he has created Cardinal Lomeli, the Dean of the Vatican, as the main character. It is his job to administer the Conclave, following the centuries old traditions and canons of the Church.
The story’s location is the Vatican and its time frame are the few days of the Conclave, from the gathering of the Cardinals through a series of votes, discussion, and politics, up to the final announcement of the new Pope. There are thriller elements, Church politics mirroring the world outside the Vatican, intrigue, mysteries to solve, and a rich tapestry of the details, rituals, doctrines, and traditions of the Catholic Church.
The book starts slowly, but the second half is a page-turner and there are a number of surprises and ironic elements within the last part of the book. This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend – rating – 4.7 out of 5 stars.
