kat says

I think that was kind of a message in the novel. Veronica's emotions about her brother, the way she interacts with her family, the way she perceives her world are entirely constructed on the feelings and experiences of her memories. It doesn't even seem to matter if they're real or not, because it's not the facts but her relationship to these ideas and experiences that affect her. I think the author plays with the idea of memory, and the various ways it can continue to affect our lives.

posted 2 weeks ago

(This is a response to a previous comment)

(kat’s previously rated this books 1 stars)

lillian d says

It is understandable why THE GATHERING won the Booker Prize. I was impressed by Enright's crafting of the story releaing bits at a time thus providing a tension which both draws you in and repels you at the same time. The voice of our narrator is compelling in it's distance yet her attachment to the story and characters are evident. In my opinion Anne Enright is a very skilled writer.

Lillian

posted Thursday, June 5 2008

(This is a response to a previous comment)

(lillian d’s previously rated this books 5 stars)

maria g says

I saw this book as both very Irish and truly unique. It explores themes that are familiar to anyone interested in Irish literature: family, alcoholism, the connection to the landscape and the burden of religion. But it does so in a very carefully balanced fashion, the writing blending heart-breaking intimacy with the cool academic observations of a Hegarty outsider. Very depressing at times, especially the lingering suggestion that the abuse is not an one-off, but rather symptomatic of that place at that time. It exposes a kind of social pathology the aftermath of which is still widely felt in the country. Despite everything, a joy to read.

posted Wednesday, June 4 2008

(read maria g’s review)

valerie z says

I agree with you - this book is absorbing, brilliant, the language is wonderful. I'm nearly finished reading it and can hardly bear to put it down!

posted Thursday, May 15 2008

(This is a response to a previous comment)

agnes01 says

I did not enjoy this book at all. Why did it win the booker? Maybe I am missing something. It bothered me we as the reader basically could not trust Veronica's memory (because she herself did not). Who knew what to believe? So why bother spending the time when half of it is not true? The style just did not work for me.

posted Thursday, May 15 2008

agnes01 says

I did not enjoy this book at all. Why did it win the booker? Maybe I am missing something. It bothered me we as the reader basically could not trust Veronica's memory (because she herself did not). Who knew what to believe? So why bother spending the time when half of it is not true? The style just did not work for me.

posted Thursday, May 15 2008

amright says

I completely agree with your review of this book. I kept up with it only because it has won the Booker and I kept expecting some brilliance to emerge out of it at some point.

posted Wednesday, May 7 2008

(This is a response to a previous comment)

(amright’s previously rated this books 3 stars)

amright says

I completely agree with your review of this book. I kept up with it only because it has won the Booker and I kept expecting some brilliance to emerge out of it at some point.

posted Wednesday, May 7 2008

(This is a response to a previous comment)

(amright’s previously rated this books 3 stars)

katherine t says

This novel is a slow read and requires the reader to just stick with it. The story revolves around a brother's funeral and is told from the point of view of the sister, Veronica. The stream-of-consciousness style makes the text difficult to follow while at the same time gives the novel an air of autheticity - the reader follows the inner thoughts (and familial discussions) of a sister struggling with the death of a once favorite brother and all the disjointed memories that are a part of their history. It is at times challenging to keep up with the book while at other times it is voyeuristic.

posted Monday, May 5 2008

(read katherine t’s review)

dana says

If you'd like to get into the mind of a grieving Irish woman....enjoy. Otherwise, move on to something else. Ironically, the narrator is Veronica which is the title of another book that I found equally puzzling.

posted Sunday, April 20 2008

(read dana’s review)