Raymond Flynn

What an intriguing plot idea---an American fisherman, a former priest and now a widower with four children, is accidentally elected Pope (how THAT happens is the best part) takes the name Peter II, and sets out to make some changes in the Catholic church. Despite authorial co-credit begin given to Robin Moore [The French Connection and The Green Berets] this is one of the most wretchedly written novels I have ever come across. I forced myself to finish it, because I wanted to know what show more "miracles" this new kind of pope would bring about. The answer is--none. What a waste of a really good idea. Flat characters, unbelievable plot elements (I gave the authors the "accidental election" bit---it was a stroke of genius. But having one of the pope's daughters "accidentally" find the tomb of St. Paul by falling into it---unbelievable, AND pointless), dialog so stiff, even among close friends and family members, that I wanted to start re-writing it myself. And at the end, there seemed to be no point to it all. show less

I really do like this book. As a Catholic theologian it is sometimes hard to get into books that deal with certain well known improbable events, but in this case I was enthralled by the idea. This is a work of fiction and therefore requires some "suspension of disbelief", but is still researched enough to make it sound plausible (i.e. most of the finer points of Church Law are correct).

As for the text itself, I find the book to be well written for the "everyday joe" (but may annoy some high show more brow English majors).

All in all it is a good read! show less

3584. The Accidental Pope, by Raymond Flynn and Brian Moore (read 29 May 2002) I read Brian Moore's The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne Feb 1, 1987 with mixed feelings, but as far as writing is concerned reading that book leads me to believe that Ray Flynn did most of the writing for this book. Contrary to Doris Kearns Goodwin's blurb on the jacket, I did not think the story became credible, though it had exciting touches. All in all, while there is appreciation for believing Catholics being show more the characters in a novel, I did not feel this book "came off" nor could I admire the pedestrian writing or the politically correct plot. show less