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8797999's review
4.0
I didn't think I would enjoy this when I started it but what a fascinating read, towards the end I couldn't put it down and ate it up for the last third of the book.
I find The Papacy and the workings of the Vatican and Conclave especially fascinating. This is my second foray into Papal fiction, after Robert Harris's novel, also called Conclave. Whilst that was more meaty in terms of action, I found this more interesting in terms of content, a deeper look into the role of a Cardinal and fictional take on the journey from the start.
For me this teeters between 4-4.5 stars, I cant give it 5 because it left a loose thread I would have liked to see closed. I am curious about the sequel Council and that will be read in the near future and hopefully my loose thread will be tied up.
I find The Papacy and the workings of the Vatican and Conclave especially fascinating. This is my second foray into Papal fiction, after Robert Harris's novel, also called Conclave. Whilst that was more meaty in terms of action, I found this more interesting in terms of content, a deeper look into the role of a Cardinal and fictional take on the journey from the start.
For me this teeters between 4-4.5 stars, I cant give it 5 because it left a loose thread I would have liked to see closed. I am curious about the sequel Council and that will be read in the near future and hopefully my loose thread will be tied up.
canada_matt's review
4.0
Tobin pulls the reader into a world that is known about only by the rules that govern it and the Hollywood depictions of it; the papal conclave. The Conclave's use is, usually, quite rare and so the reader can latch onto the story and the drama with ease. At the time of publishing, it had been around 33 years since a Conclave had occurred and even reading this 6 weeks after the most recent one brought Francis I, the drama is still high. Using an interesting premise (discussed below), Tobin uses his knowledge of the Catholic hierarchy to explore possibilities and lays out just how political (and how deep the politics fester) the Church tends to be, dogma being only one part. The action and attention to detail, combined with the metaphoric characters makes for a splendid book that can be enjoyed by religious enthusiast and political nut alike.
I read the book more for the political aspect than anything else. The mystery and intrigue as it relates to a Conclave is surely one of the most interest and secretive forms of democratic action alive today. Tobin’s continual movement through the death of John Paul II (his name never used directly, as he was still alive at the time) and subsequent selection process for a successor is so well done, complete with forbidden lobbying and strong factions fighting for control of the Papal Throne. Tobin does inject a form of flashback to justify some of the ‘current day’ actions that can push the reader into great confusion. However, had the book been written in a solely chronological setting, the book could be no less than 1000 pages, weaving all these happenings together and surely would find the Conclave itself in the middle of Book 2 or 3.
Kudos Mr. Tobin. I will soon read the second in the (yet to be) unfinished trilogy and I hope it is as exciting as this introduction to the subject.
I read the book more for the political aspect than anything else. The mystery and intrigue as it relates to a Conclave is surely one of the most interest and secretive forms of democratic action alive today. Tobin’s continual movement through the death of John Paul II (his name never used directly, as he was still alive at the time) and subsequent selection process for a successor is so well done, complete with forbidden lobbying and strong factions fighting for control of the Papal Throne. Tobin does inject a form of flashback to justify some of the ‘current day’ actions that can push the reader into great confusion. However, had the book been written in a solely chronological setting, the book could be no less than 1000 pages, weaving all these happenings together and surely would find the Conclave itself in the middle of Book 2 or 3.
Kudos Mr. Tobin. I will soon read the second in the (yet to be) unfinished trilogy and I hope it is as exciting as this introduction to the subject.
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