Conclave (2016) By Robert Harris

"Any man who is truly worthy must consider himself unworthy."

Admittedly, I came to read this book having already watched its recent film adaptation, so I knew roughly what I was in for before I turned the first page. However, I was still keen to see the vision that the film was borne from, as well as any alterations and differences between text and motion picture.

"My brothers and sisters, in the course of a long life in the service of our Mother the Church, let me tell you that the one sin I have come to fear more than any other is certainty...If there was only certainty, and if there was no doubt, there would be no mystery, and therefore no need for faith."

The very first thing that I gathered from reading the early chapters, was just how terrifically intricate and detailed Harris' descriptions were. They drew the reader into the world of the priesthood in an intimate manner that almost gave the impression of learning secrets we were nto meant to hear.

"No one who ever follows their conscience ever does wrong. The consequences may not turn out as we intended; it may prove that we made a mistake. But that is not the same as being wrong."

The narrative was extremely dialogue driven, with very little in the way of explicit action - and yet, I found this atypical thriller quite compelling. Harris created an atmosphere of mystery and stakes around his story, which gave a potentially dull and drab affair a rather intriguing feel, with a lot to dig one's proverbial teeth into.

"Truth, in other words, was a matter of perspective."

To call it slow-burn would be somewhat of an inderstatement, however, there were certainly a number of twists and turns to keep the reader hooked and invested in who would claim the papacy. The story's climax is fascinating, and speaks to some of the very real tensions of the modern Church, and tests its reader's own perceptions of what the Church could be.

"The vulgar always assumed it was best to try to know everything; in his experience it was often better to know as little as possible."

For those without an interest in history, religion, politics, or, at least, some degree of one or all of these, they may struggle to find this as compelling as, for example, I did. However, for those that do endeavour to read it, I feel that there is a lot more depth and intrigue than might be expected from this sly quasi-political thriller.

"We are an ark...surrounded by a rising flood of discord..."