
Add to that the fact that they are locked inside a traditional, ultra-hierarchical power structure, and the resulting whispered conversations and jockeying for position are only to be expected. There are a lot of old and middle-aged men in this world – more than once, Harris has drawn our attention that a 60-year-old cardinal is the youngest person in the room – and there are the cabals and rivalries that you get wherever men of any age get together. Harris, as ever, presents us with a capable ‘manager’ – Lomeli’s word – working within a completely plausible mise-en-scene. Cardinal Lomeli, 75 years old and, in recent months, feeling more doubts than he has ever felt before, is someone we can all identify with. This is usually how Robert Harris does it, as a thoughtful, but all too human male character has a lot to deal with and feels the pressure. The Pope has died suddenly, and we’re entirely in the consciousness, given to us in the third person so there’s to be no messing about, of the ‘Dean of cardinals’ in charge of supervising the election of a replacement. It doesn’t always happen, and sometimes the thriller elements are signalled a little too clearly, but this time I’m fine with it. Compare Standard and Premium Digital here.Īny changes made can be done at any time and will become effective at the end of the trial period, allowing you to retain full access for 4 weeks, even if you downgrade or cancel.As usual when reading a Robert Harris novel, I feel I’m in safe hands. You may also opt to downgrade to Standard Digital, a robust journalistic offering that fulfils many user’s needs. If you’d like to retain your premium access and save 20%, you can opt to pay annually at the end of the trial.

If you do nothing, you will be auto-enrolled in our premium digital monthly subscription plan and retain complete access for $69 per month.įor cost savings, you can change your plan at any time online in the “Settings & Account” section. For a full comparison of Standard and Premium Digital, click here.Ĭhange the plan you will roll onto at any time during your trial by visiting the “Settings & Account” section. Premium Digital includes access to our premier business column, Lex, as well as 15 curated newsletters covering key business themes with original, in-depth reporting. Standard Digital includes access to a wealth of global news, analysis and expert opinion. During your trial you will have complete digital access to FT.com with everything in both of our Standard Digital and Premium Digital packages.
