Conclave discussion

I loved this book, but was somewhat puzzled by Benitez's apparent lack of concern on reaching puberty. have I missed something?

Maggie, I just assumed that Card. Benitez was innocent and, as such, ignorant of sexuality and sexual development. Given that he grew up in a very poor and backward nation in the early 20th century -- and in a very Catholic one -- I don't find that particularly odd.

Also, I believe the late pope named Benitez cardinal en pectore not because he was protecting the cardinal's life by keeping the promotion silent, but because the late pope, knowing that he was dying, honestly believed Benitez to be the best person to become his successor. The late pope obviously had no faith in any of his Curia cardinals, nor of his other papal-wanna-be cardinals. Benitez' history, in the late pope's mind, was benign compared to the shenanigans of some of the other papal-wanna-be's.

Hi! I just finished "Conclave" and loved the book, but I, too was puzzled by Benitez's apparent ignorance of basic human anatomy, particularly due to the work done with rape victims in the past where surely some details of the functions of the human body must have come up in conversation/confession? How could this character not have known about having a period? Growing breasts? Having a higher voice? Even if Benitez had low estrogen levels, sheer exposure to seeing a male dog or male farm animal should have made any normally curious human being (even a pious one) wonder somewhat about their own body, right? I looked up the medical condition and it seems to resolve itself naturally by puberty in most cases according to the web doctors, but even in the few cases where it does not, is it plausible that a priest would get into the 60s before having any sort of physical exam, ever, despite where s/he was stationed? And, wouldn't Lomeli have to say something to the Cardinals if he knew that a biological woman was about to be sworn in as Pope? Isn't that more damning in the Catholic Church than the transgressions of the other contenders? Despite the fact that the previous Pope went ahead and created Benitez as Cardinal, even knowing these facts? I mean, they don't even ordain women, as was pointed out early on in the story. There was the legend that a female pope, Pope Joan, was ordained in the Middle Ages, although it's difficult to say whether she really existed now. You can read about her here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Joan Does anyone else have some issues with the lack of further detail to explain how this plot twist could be more plausible? I like the twist, but I don't find it convincing enough to feel satisfied. If there had been a better explanation for it, I would like it better. How about you?

Michaela wrote: "Hi! I just finished "Conclave" and loved the book, but I, too was puzzled by Benitez's apparent ignorance of basic human anatomy, particularly due to the work done with rape victims in the past whe..."

I agree with you. Loved the book up to the last implausible five pages. Also, Benitez seemed particularly humble and holy. So why didn't tell anybody about his/her condition? Rushed, rushed ending.

Thank you for weighing in, Jacqueline! I appreciate it!

Have to agree. Great book, preposterous ending.

This is a compelling thriller which I would have rated higher were it not for the far-fetched twist at the end. After researching clitoropexy and its genetic context and implications (which perhaps added a bit to the possibility of such a thing happening as written), it's not credible that a person of Cardinal Lomeli's intelligence, knowledge of church rules and regulations, and piety would accept the ex cathedra decision of the deceased pope in this matter, as evidenced by him saying upon hearing about it, "Then he must have gone mad!" In order to protect the church from what was fated to be a major scandal, it's likely that such a man would have demanded the new Pope's resignation. What an ending that would have brought on.

An ending with any other candidate being elected Pope would have been satisfying in its way. As it is, the surprise was unnecessary and seemed to be tacked on, with the very talented Harris awkwardly pandering to those with a particular view of the zeitgeist of the time. This otherwise excellent novel is likely to continue to be read far into the future, with this twist ending viewed as a relic of a cultural movement that was out of place in this intriguing narrative of a conclave.

Cónclave” es un libro interesante y bien estructurado, con una narración envolvente que mantiene la tensión hasta el final. Sin embargo, el desenlace deja una sensación de que algo no termina de encajar del todo. Coincido en que la ignorancia de Benítez sobre su propia condición resulta poco creíble, lo que hace que el giro final se sienta forzado. A pesar de esto, la novela ofrece una visión fascinante sobre las intrigas y la lucha de poder dentro del Vaticano, con personajes bien construidos y un desarrollo que atrapa de principio a fin.