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Conclave cover art

Conclave

By: Robert Harris
Narrated by: Roy Mcmillan
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Publisher's Summary

The Pope is dead.

Behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, 118 cardinals from all over the globe will cast their votes in the world's most secretive election. They are holy men. But they have ambition. And they have rivals.

Over the next 72 hours, one of them will become the most powerful spiritual figure on earth.

©2016 Robert Harris (P)2016 Random House Audiobooks

What listeners say about Conclave

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A Close Call

Had Robert Harris been a. lesser writer, this novel may have turned out to be deceiving and predictable at the same time. But he is not a lesser writer. His research, his detail, the fluidity of his prose, still work their magic, and even that soupçon of a trendy issue that the reader receives at the end of the novel is not followed through in a way to make having read the book an unsatisfactory experience. Once again, the characters that he invokes take on their own identity and force within the reader's imagination and mind, and through them, we gain an entrée into the human psyche and the omnipresent experience of the undertow of power. I, for one, could scarcely stop listening.

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The surprisingly gripping story of electing a pope

My dad recommended this book to me after reading it. I looked at the cover art. 'So I'm guessing it's kind of like Dan Brown, then, is it, Dad?' I asked. He laughed and said, 'Not really, except that it's surprisingly gripping.'

He was not wrong.

Robert Harris's imaginings of the internal machinations of the highest echelons of the Catholic Church between the death of the Pontiff and the election of his successor is more than ably served by Roy McMillan's masterful narration. The subject matter has no right to be this thrilling, and yet it is. I loved it.

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What a Ripper!

As a deeply secular person, I didn't expect to like Conclave at all. It is a book about the powerful male players within the Roman Catholic Church. The female characters are subservient, non-entities or victims. What's there to like, given all that, the liturgical incantations and the constant appeals to the Deity?

This novel is full of surprises and mesmeric moments, such that it's preferable if you can, read this novel in one sitting. Harris is masterful and succeeds in capturing the reader's full attention.

The complex interplay between power, politics, deceit and corruption is a Siren's Song. Once drawn in, you are compelled to stay for the duration and beyond. Well beyond..........

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Brilliant and oh what a twist!

Fantastic story. The research into the machinations of electing the new pope and the workings of the Catholic Church is superb. Intelligent and thought provoking. Masterful story telling and an unexpected twist that put a smile on my face. Page turner - very cleverly written.

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Surprise

I had read the existing reviews and was intrigued to discover how the election of a pope could be the subject of a novel of suspense and intrigue. How could I stop listening!? It was riveting and the twist at the end unforeseen. A hugely enjoyable and unusual book.

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Turning 'watching paint dry' into a great thriller

A colleague lent me this book as she knew I liked Robert Harris. But I had never intended to read 'Conclave' as I have no interest in popes or religion. The book sat on my shelf for a year and made me feel guilty as I needed to return the book and knew that I would be asked the question 'what did you think about X, Y and Z? "

So I downloaded Conclave on audio and sped it up to x1.5 to get it over and done with quickly. But after the first three chapters I was enthralled and returned it to normal speed so I didn't miss any details. And what a story! Honestly, Robert Harris could write a novel entitled 'Watching Paint Dry" and it would end up being a bestselling, ripsnorter of a thriller!

The research, characterisation, sense of place and occasion and the study of ambition is wonderful. The competitive edge keeps the pages turning and I absolutely loved the ending even though it was telegraphed a few chapters out.

Loved it!

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Exceptional story

I've just read this for the second time, it's extremely interesting and very well researched.

PS: addendum - I have just read this book again, so that now makes three times I've listened. I enjoyed it just as much, I seem to find something else each time I listen.

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A great story rread with extaordinary clarity.

I loved the reader's abilty to provide the voices of so men of many different nations.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Excellent story - weak ending

I loved this book right until the final couple of chapters. It then went from sublime to ridiculous. Such a shame.

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