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A review by echoesofstrdst
Conclave by Robert Harris
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
it might be thanks to my catholic upbringing, but conclave is a book i enjoyed much more than i thought i would and has stuck with ever since i read the last page and put it down. Once again, this is a book-turned-movie adaptation i read on a whim because i wanted to watch the movie. having both read the book and seen the movie, my opinion is that, for as good as the movie is (which is great), the book is much better.
following the death of the pope, conclave follows the internal process of selecting a cardinal to fill the vacant role within the church. full of depth, heart, emotion, and packed with political struggle, conclave is a story that any average person might be able to connect with and relate to, regardless of where they stand within- or outside of- the catholic church.
for some reason, i wasn't expecting the process of electing a pope to be so political. in hindsight, it makes complete sense considering the catholic church's position, both in the world and historically, as a significant colonizing and influential power. that being said, i believe conclave presents an extremely kind, hopeful version of what the church can be, what it might become. this book doesn't entirely shy away from the disappointing realities of the church, but it does handle it with a much softer hand than one might expect or hope for.
the twist at the end is what truly sets this book apart in my mind and my heart, as it's an ending i am still grappling with a week after having finished the book. i can't say for sure what my feelings on it are, but i think it represents a significance and complexity that challenges the reader. either way, conclave has become a book with significant meaning for me.
following the death of the pope, conclave follows the internal process of selecting a cardinal to fill the vacant role within the church. full of depth, heart, emotion, and packed with political struggle, conclave is a story that any average person might be able to connect with and relate to, regardless of where they stand within- or outside of- the catholic church.
for some reason, i wasn't expecting the process of electing a pope to be so political. in hindsight, it makes complete sense considering the catholic church's position, both in the world and historically, as a significant colonizing and influential power. that being said, i believe conclave presents an extremely kind, hopeful version of what the church can be, what it might become. this book doesn't entirely shy away from the disappointing realities of the church, but it does handle it with a much softer hand than one might expect or hope for.
the twist at the end is what truly sets this book apart in my mind and my heart, as it's an ending i am still grappling with a week after having finished the book. i can't say for sure what my feelings on it are, but i think it represents a significance and complexity that challenges the reader. either way, conclave has become a book with significant meaning for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia
Minor: Genocide, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Colonisation, War