Verdict: Read it if you enjoy a good novel. It was a page-turner for me, and the author completely took me by surprise with the final plot twist.
I first heard about Conclave, the movie, when it was nominated for the Oscars—long before I discovered the book. I mentally added it to my watchlist after my sister and nephew, who are based in the US, recommended it. When the movie finally became available on Amazon Prime, I decided to do some independent research first.
Lately, I’ve sat through too many disappointing recommendations, so I’ve made it a habit to read multiple reviews before committing my time to anything. That’s when I discovered that Conclave is based on a widely read and well-reviewed novel published in 2016.
I immediately bought the book.
Fiction has played a huge role in helping me sleep better. I used to end my day with action or thriller movies, which I later realized might have been affecting my sleep. So I made a small shift: I stuck to the same genre, but switched to books instead. That one tweak has worked wonders. Now, I’m always on the lookout for books that are easy to read, interesting, and immersive.
Conclave ticked all those boxes. Robert Harris uses the Papal elections as a compelling backdrop—not just to introduce readers to the rituals and inner workings of the Catholic Church, but also to highlight how human and political the institution can be.
Despite being a work of fiction, the book taught me a few new things and left me with a lot to reflect on.