An Engaging Narrator Takes You to Liam's Wake While Shrouding the Past in Mystery - Rated 
When a book has won a prestigious prize like the Man Booker, readers feel a double challenge: Appreciate the book for what it is and try to figure out what attracted the award panel's approval. I think the former was easier to do than the latter in this case.
Ultimately, The Gathering's subject is the difficulty with trying to pin down the truth of anything, especially things that happened long ago for which there is little or no contemporary evidence. If you've never thought much about that issue, you'll enjoy the subtle philosophical bent of the novel.
That subject is explored in the context of a sister contemplating her brother's death. Veronica Hegerty is a very vivid and appealing character: Much of the book's charm comes from seeing her family through her eyes and memories. In the process, she reveals the kind of "within the family" opinions that all family members express in whispers with one another. Beneath her grief, Veronica also feels a need to share a secret with us . . . but she feels at a loss for how to do so. Her rambling reflections gradually spiral closer and closer to that secret until you realize its full shocking lesson: People may not be who they seem to be, and you need to be careful even where there seems to be no risk.
There's an unedited quality at times in the book that captures what will remind you of the sorts of soliloquies that we've all conducted in our minds. That exposition method is very effective for making Veronica's feelings come across more strongly.
Why did the book win the award? I'm not really sure. I found that the secret wasn't so very interesting as to make the philosophical question and the writing style worth the effort. The book felt like a well decorated cake where the appearance of the icing was a lot better than the taste and freshness of the cake.
But anyone who enjoys good writing will find this book rewarding. We can all learn from a stylist like Anne Enright.
The Gathering - Rated 
One of the worst books I have read. Why did it win the booker prize? We read it as part of a book group and not one of the 11 people liked it. It was dull, depressing and added very little to the genre.
Just AWFUL.....so dull... - Rated
Good God...this is a terrible book,I was so disappointed as was expecting great things ....but it was so dull,dreary,had no rhythm ,was dull...have I said that already.....and as for the ending......
Don't spend your hard earned on buying it,get it from the library.
A secretive family history in very well-written prose - Rated
Veronica Hegarty is one of 12 children. When her brother Liam dies, the nine surviving children gather in the parental house for the wake. The period before, during and after the wake is described through the eyes of Veronica, who was Liam's closest sister, but even she could not save him from the drink and self-destruction that ultimately lead to his suicide. The story flips backwards and forwards between their childhood, young adulthood and the period after the death of Liam, when Veronica has to come to terms with the events from the past that led to Liam's ultimate self-desctruction. It also shows the problems that Veronica encouters in her marriage during the months after the funeral when she has to come to terms with the death of her closest brother.
The book very well describes the chemistry and behavioural patterns that rule the interaction between a whole flock of grown-ups that shared their youth ("Don't tell Mammy!"). The prose is smooth where it should be, funny at times, but can also hurt and the author is not afraid of showing both the loving and selfish sides of the main character. All in all a worthy winner of the Booker Prize.
Did the judges read it?! - Rated
This is easily one of the worst books I've ever read.
I work in a bookshop, and have to nearly bite my tongue off to stop myself from shouting customers away from it.
I read most books that end up on the Booker shortlists, and all of those that were on last year's list - I do not believe this should've have won, or been in contention of winning any prize.
Rant over!
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