The Gathering

Title: The Gathering
Author: Anne Enright
Vintage, 2007

Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2007. Ireland. Pain and strain. Child molestation. Well, I don't mind reading about Ireland. The other things, however, are features overused in literature if you want to know what I think, especially sex crimes against kids. It seems to be the favoured excuse of everyone who wants to write a gripping tale of how very difficult life can be, and to me that is a bit speculative and sensationalistic.

It is still fairly good (especially if you are the masochistic type). The narrator is an Irish woman who has just lost her favourite brother, Liam. Before the large family gathers to take their farewells of Liam, we accompany her as she slowly unravels as she tries to come to terms with his death.