I have mixed feelings about this book, I have to be honest.
I loved all the parts about how it feels to be living the conclave from the inside and then about all the things happening behind the closed doors of the Pope apartment and hos every day life. I didn’t like the way his “secret” (I won’t insert any further details as I don’t want to spoiler anyone) was dealt with: it all seemed too “simple”, too seen through the eyes of somebody who has surely read a lot about the “issue” and made his researches, but not lived through it, it all felt too fictional.
The ending was the worst part, for me. I can see why Glenn Cooper chose to write it the way it is, but it felt too much like the trope “bury your gays/queer people”.
Anyway it was a good novel and I recommend it, I keep on loving more or less every single thing this man writes!

This book actually took me out of my months long reading slump! I am so excited for it to be published so I can gift it to my best friend <33

If I had known what the core issue was that was going to be explored, I probably would not have picked this book up. And I would have missed a really good story. I did choose it because it was about a conclave to select a new pope and we had just gone through that recently so I was interested in the topic. I am not a Catholic but have always been curious about the Catholic religion and why they believe the way they do and why they have a pope. This book gave a lot of information about that and also about the biases that are prevalent throughout this religion.

I enjoyed the Last Conclave by Glenn Cooper, and this book did not disappoint.. Yet again, it shows the workings of the Church. Interesting storyline with realistic characters.

Real Rating: 3.5* of five

Could Author Cooper have timed this release ant better?! Even got the regnal ordinal right! One could be forgiven for thinking permaybehaps he had some inside information...or at least a discreet nod of approval from On High.

I'm a great deal lower on the cosmic food chain, but I too offer my (qualified) nod of approval. More research into the current usages of nomenclature, Author Cooper.

Cardinal Budd is a character I think we all hope will be a truthful representation of church officialdom. As the new Pope Innocent (!) XIV, he is someone who would inflame the civil war over progressivism that Western culture is having very broadly. In fact, if you'd like to see the progress of that civil war, go look at the schism in Goodreads reviewers' ratings and opinions about this read. Goodness gracious me.

So big kudos for that service to us all! Anything that gets people stirred up and talking is, in my view, a good thing. It's not going to get resolved any time soon, this book might not change a single position, but positions can never change if they're simply unchallenged.

I found the characters in the story hard to relate to, as I expected; I've known in my core there was no god since I was five. I find people who believe in one utterly perplexing. I find people who "serve" a god I do not for a second believe they believe in reprehensible. There are good people who, for some reason, believe this guff. There are not professional administrators who do, or I'll eat your hat. Executives have the inside story, so they can by definition see through the charade of their organization's public relations. It's like lawyers; they know the law, and its execution, too well to buy the tale spun to dazzle the outsiders into accepting impartiality and fairness rule the juridical roost.

I'm all the way there supporting the conversation this story should ignite. I felt, though, distant and almost cold-shouldered by the way this story does not examine the stunningly complex battle lines it could have drawn. I understand the author's choice not to do the direct confrontation of the issue raised. I can't say I agree; an earlier, and more direct presentation of the secret issue Innocent (!)XIV was carrying would, to my mind, suit Cardinal Budd's stated personality traits better. As such I questioned whether what I was told was Budd's personal behavior pattern was accurate. I'll note here that I had he same issue with the much more disappointing Conclave, film and book.

I don't wish to leave the impression that I did not enjoy this read; I did, with all the schadenfreude I was expecting to revel in. I note the areas I felt the execution of the story did not match the author's ambitious imagination to be sure you will go into the read with the most information I can reach back to you from my readerly vantage point.

But go into the read I hope you will, and soon.

This book surprised me. It took me a little while to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't stop reading. I went through so many emotions and moments of shock. When I thought I knew what was going to happen, something completely different happened. I don't know much about Catholicism or the Pope or the Vatican or anything of that world, but this book really reeled me in.

3⭐️
I liked it, but...

When Anthony Budd is elected as the new pope (much to his chagrin), his secret and its surfacing may upend the entire Catholic church forever.

This work was actually quite good! It offers a very novel concept of bridging the space of the antiquated doctrines of Catholicism with modern notions of gender and sexuality, and how these two spheres clash and speculating resolution. I think the author does a spectacular job of addressing the differences between gender and sexuality, while also giving some clearly researched insight into the Catholic religion and its tenets.

I do have misgivings about the plot - especially the ending - but I have more concerns about how some of these LGBTQIA+ topics are discussed. Without spoiling the novel, I don't know if the terminology that is used is as accurate as it should be; it's not that certain terms are used in a derogatory manner, but that the terms used don't seem to fit with the given scenarios. It's hard to explain this without going into the plot of the book, but I'll suffice to say that I think more research and adjustments to the story could have been made to keep the root of the story intact and still get an important point across.

Overall, this was a pleasant surprise for me. Would I return to this book? Probably not. But, I would still recommend it purely for its discussions around important subjects and its wonderful character building.

Thank you to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for an ARC of this work!

Seriously ? Guess the recent Vatican activities was a reason to read this HOWEVER...what a disappointment. Had every possible "sin" in the stories of the cardinals, and the new Pope. The ending did more than suspend my disbelief; it suggested a deadline looming. Will NOT recommend.

I received this book as a free ARC of Netgalley.

Interesting look on politics in Catholic church and cruelty of the society. This is not a kind book, unflinchingly and realistically showing how Catholic church looks on queer issues and how a fictional papacy featuring these issues may unfold. But then, for many, its not about God or faith, just the old fashioned power and cruelty.

The ending made me cry. I suppose I longed for hope and i got more realistic ending instead.

Its not my traditional pick (not a romance at all, for example! I mean, its about pope lol...) but i am glad i gave this novel a chance. I think the author did good research and showed queer characters fairly well.

TW: homophobic and transphobic characters, portrayal of child abuse

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of "The Silence of Flesh" by Glenn Cooper.
Overall an enthralling book that I'm sure will be well received thanks to the circumstances of the world right now (the success of Conclave and the obviously new elected pope).
Cooper's pace is interesting, because even when some passages might seem too long, one realizes towards the end their importance to the overall story.
The greatest achievement, however, I would say resides not on the plot but the characters. Without delving into the plot and/or spoilers, the members of the conclave within the story feel awfully human and flawed, which makes to a rich development for the reader.

When the new pope is chosen at the conclave, we realize he has a secret. What could it be? I enjoyed the chapters that told about his childhood and the rest of his past. This past influenced him.

The Silence of the Flesh
The newly elected English pope was a compromise candidate, and not a politician. He is younger than the other candidates, and more liberal. That gives hin the enmity of some Cardinals, and the praise of many laypeople. His father was not the kindest, , but his sister’s family and nephews love him. He has great potential, but will not appeal to everyone.

I went blind reading this novel. The plot took me by surprise and I couldn't leave it. It talks about religion, human rights, the church as not a safe space for everyone. We follow, the cardinal that for some reason his elected to be pope and one of his deep secrets comes to the surface and how he needs to defend himself against the church he follow and with his own thoughts. The plot is very clever and it's a great way to talk about those topics. But I found the writing to be a little cliche and sometimes cringe. Most of the characters felt quite the same, and that made some other characters more exaggerated and a little too cartoony with the heaviness of the story. Other than that I really enjoyed this book

This is my 2nd book by this author. I read The Last Conclave last month about a conspiracy to elect a woman pope. I did not realize that this book was first published in Italian. it is also about a Conclave that elects the first British Pope. Anthony Budd is hiding a very important secret that plays out in an interesting fashion.
The book begins with a woman hiring a PI to find out if her husband is unfaithful. This leads to her discovery of a secret that she tries to use as blackmail several years later.
It takes a large part of the book to find out that secret and the its ramifications.
I am not Catholic and I find the discussions of faith interesting. Cooper does not show some of the Vatican machinations in a very good light.
What I enjoyed most in this book was the discussions of how the Church doctrines look upon people who are not heterosexual.
Sadly, the ending of this book is not hopeful.
Thanks to the Book Whisperer and the publisher for the EARC. The opinions are mine alone.

The Silence of Flesh offers a sleek, character-driven narrative about power, faith, and personal truth—it’s a sober, introspective Vatican drama. If you enjoy internal conflict and ecclesiastical politics, this is a strong, thoughtful read. For those expecting high-stakes thrills or supernatural mysteries, note: this book keeps its intrigue grounded in internal drama rather than external action.

In "The Silence of Flesh," Glen Cooper crafts a mesmerizing and thought-provoking tale that centers around the unexpected journey of Cardinal Anthony Budd, who finds himself thrust into the papacy as Pope Innocent XIV amidst the swirling chaos of a contentious and drawn-out conclave. This intricate narrative invites readers into the labyrinthine corridors of the Vatican, where the very fabric of faith, identity, and societal norms are examined through the lens of a powerful modern saga.

Budd, an outsider with no fervent desire for the title, becomes only the second British Pope in history. His reluctant acceptance of this monumental role is fueled by a deep sense of divine calling, as he seeks to bring hope and dignity to the marginalized voices within the Church. With a heart that beats for the poor, he endeavors to elevate them both spiritually and materially, aspiring to weave compassion into the austere tapestry of ecclesiastical power. However, lurking in the shadows of his past is a closely guarded secret, one that, when unearthed, threatens to unravel the sanctity of his new position. Blackmail emerges as a formidable foe, as dark figures from his history threaten to expose him, forcing Budd to confront his core values in a moment of crisis.

The story unfolds against a backdrop of Vatican intrigue, where the stakes are perilously high, and the line between loyalty and betrayal blurs. As power struggles erupt, Budd’s moral resolve is tested, pushing him into a world where friendship can be sacrificed on the altar of ambition. The narrative gracefully navigates the complexities of love, identity, and the often harsh judgments imposed by society. Each character brought to life has their own set of biases and motivations, shaping the public perception of the Pope and challenging the audience to reflect on their own beliefs.

Cooper weaves a rich tapestry of emotions and tensions, inviting readers to ponder profound questions about authenticity and the burdens of leadership. The journey of Budd is not just a tale of ecclesiastical politics; it is a poignant exploration of what it truly means to be human in a world steeped in expectation and scrutiny. The unexpected conclusion hits with the force of revelation, leaving readers to contemplate the profound intricacies of faith, power, and internal conflict long after the final page has turned. "The Silence of Flesh" emerges as an enthralling exploration that resonates deeply, inviting a rich dialogue on the complexities of identity and spiritual truth.

“The Silence of Flesh” is a very good novel about the Vatican and a fictional papacy. It’s well-written, reads quickly, and features interesting characters confronting dilemmas of faith and morality. It also explores the church’s stances and supporting rationales on various issues. Billed as “LGBTQIAP+/ Literary Fiction,” it is also quite suspenseful and contains more than one surprise.

In papal conclave, conservative and progressive cardinals are split down the middle as to who will be their next pope. They’ve been voting for days and are no closer to selecting a pontiff than when they first started. Finally, they turn to a compromise candidate: English Cardinal Anthony Budd, a young, handsome, and mild-mannered centrist. When asked if he accepts election, Cardinal Budd hesitates, then excuses himself to engage in private reflection—leaving the cardinals mystified (since it’s never done)—then returns and accepts election. He is now Pope Innocent XIV.

Why the delay? Tony has a secret: one that, if revealed, would certainly rock the church to its core, perhaps even destroy it. But the secret is a private one that in no way affects his fitness as a priest or to be pope. At least that’s what Innocent XIV believes—until the secret becomes front page news around the globe and Tony the most controversial pope in modern history.

I liked this novel very much. Tony Budd/Innocent XIV is a well-drawn, engaging character readers can care about. The issues he confronts are modern and topical. Author Glenn Cooper does an excellent job examining those issues, the church’s stances on them, and the reasons for those stances. For example, I’ve never really known the church’s reasons for requiring its priests to be celibate. Now I do.

This the second novel by Mr. Cooper that I’ve read. Again, his fiction reminds me a lot of the works of Morris L. West (“The Shoes of the Fisherman,” “The Clowns of God.) Readers who enjoy Mr. West’s novels, or even the novels of Dan Brown, may find much to interest them in “The Silence of Flesh.”

One caveat, however: those who strongly object to calls for the church to liberalize its doctrines regarding various social issues may want to skip “The Silence of Flesh” and look elsewhere for their next read.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Glenn Cooper, and publisher Book Whisperer | Lascaux Media for providing me with a complimentary ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.

The cover and the title piqued by interest. I've always liked this painting of St. John the Baptist which unintentionally gives off eerie vibes, in my opinion.
It was a nice quick read, although I didn't care so much for the characters at all. Maybe the dog, but that's about it. The ending was disappointing and felt rushed.

Many books have been written about conclaves and the election of unexpected popes. This was well done in that regard, but the story was short on plot. Excellent character development, but not enough going on.

With the turn of every page, I enjoyed this book more and more, whilst trying to consider how the story would unfold.
The ending was totally unexpected and left me flat and disappointed. Hence the three star rating. It should have been five, but…
Not having read anything by Glenn Cooper, I will certainly give his other titles a try, as I might find the endings more acceptable than this one.