40 pages • 1 hour read
Anne EnrightThe Gathering
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2007A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Veronica Hegarty copes with her brother Liam's death by suicide by delving into their family's complex past, uncovering dark secrets involving their grandmother, Ada, and a man named Nugent. As she seeks understanding, Veronica also grapples with her strained marriage and the complexities of her familial relationships, ultimately striving for healing and resolution. This book depicts the sexual abuse of children, addiction, and death by suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Anne Enright's The Gathering is lauded for its lyrical prose and deep examination of family dynamics amid trauma. Critics praise its emotional depth and nuanced character portrayals but note its nonlinear narrative can be challenging. Although some found it bleak, many appreciated its raw honesty and poignancy, marking it a powerful literary work.
Who Should Read The Gathering?
Fans of deeply emotional, introspective family sagas like Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections or Pat Conroy's The Prince of Tides will be drawn to Anne Enright's The Gathering. This novel appeals to readers who appreciate complex character studies, rich narrative layers, and explorations of family secrets and personal identity.
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