Good Reads / Community Library Notes
Conclave
Robert Harris
Review by Priscilla Comen
Conclave
Robert Harris
Review by Priscilla Comen
Conclave, by Robert Harris, is a most interesting tale of how a Pope is chosen. Narrated by Brother Lomeli, the voting proceeds as each member of the curia is introduced and described. Which one will win the necessary number of votes? What secrets will we learn about them—for all men have secrets in their past. Lomeli truly believes he is choosing the right man for the job. But is he?
Adaymni would be the first black Pope if he wins. All in all, 118 members must make the decision, since the former Pope has died the previous week. They are not to speak to anyone outside the Vatican so as not to reveal what occurs inside. When a Pope is elected, the ballots will be burned and white smoke will emit from the Vatican’s chimney. Until that time, black smoke comes out to show that no one has been chosen. Lomeli cares about the universality of the church. He prays to God for guidance to make the right decision. Author Harris uses Michelangelo’s painting in the Sistine chapel to send messages to Lomeli as Peter stares at him. When he learns that one of the members had fathered a son with a nun, he is dismayed. He removes that man from his list.
Author Harris shows the solemnity of the Vatican and the commitment of the men from as far away as Rome and Nigeria, Canada and Chicago. They are all housed in the Casa Santa Marta and served by nuns of the company of the Daughters of Charity. Author Harris makes it seem real. In fact, his research is excellent. Brother Tedesco expounds on his favorite theme of the moral decay of Western liberal societies. The Italians agree with him. Trembley, a Quebecois, moves from group to group, indulges in general bonhomie with each one. Bellini talks with his fellow theologians, and Benitez, the newcomer from the Filipines, joins the Anglos.
Who deserves to be Pope? Will Lomeli find any clue to help him decide? Were any nefarious deeds going on behind the scenes? Find out on the new fiction shelf of your community library.
Adaymni would be the first black Pope if he wins. All in all, 118 members must make the decision, since the former Pope has died the previous week. They are not to speak to anyone outside the Vatican so as not to reveal what occurs inside. When a Pope is elected, the ballots will be burned and white smoke will emit from the Vatican’s chimney. Until that time, black smoke comes out to show that no one has been chosen. Lomeli cares about the universality of the church. He prays to God for guidance to make the right decision. Author Harris uses Michelangelo’s painting in the Sistine chapel to send messages to Lomeli as Peter stares at him. When he learns that one of the members had fathered a son with a nun, he is dismayed. He removes that man from his list.
Author Harris shows the solemnity of the Vatican and the commitment of the men from as far away as Rome and Nigeria, Canada and Chicago. They are all housed in the Casa Santa Marta and served by nuns of the company of the Daughters of Charity. Author Harris makes it seem real. In fact, his research is excellent. Brother Tedesco expounds on his favorite theme of the moral decay of Western liberal societies. The Italians agree with him. Trembley, a Quebecois, moves from group to group, indulges in general bonhomie with each one. Bellini talks with his fellow theologians, and Benitez, the newcomer from the Filipines, joins the Anglos.
Who deserves to be Pope? Will Lomeli find any clue to help him decide? Were any nefarious deeds going on behind the scenes? Find out on the new fiction shelf of your community library.