If you loved
The Gathering
Anne Enright · Book · 2007
If you loved The Gathering, you will find yourself drawn to these stories that peel back the layers of buried family secrets.
Films on the same thread
Manchester by the Sea
Kenneth Lonergan · Film · 2016
Explores: Grief, Loss, Trauma.
Like The Gathering, this film explores the crushing weight of grief and the way a return to home forces a confrontation with the painful, repressed memories of the past.
Atonement
Joe Wright · Film · 2007
Explores: Guilt and Redemption, Consequences of Lies, Social Class Divide.
Just as The Gathering examines how a single event ripples through a lifetime, this story focuses on the devastating, long-term consequences of a childhood lie told within a family.
The Goldfinch
John Crowley · Film · 2019
Explores: Grief and Loss, Trauma, Moral Ambiguity.
This narrative mirrors the themes of trauma and loss found in The Gathering, showing how a singular, life-altering tragedy forces a character to navigate a fractured, uncertain existence.
The Quiet Girl
Colm Bairéad · Film · 2022
Explores: neglect, found family, rural life.
Both The Gathering and this film capture the delicate, often painful experience of childhood within a dysfunctional Irish household, where hidden truths eventually surface to alter everything for the protagonist.
Series on the same thread
The Haunting of Hill House
Mike Flanagan · Series · 2018
Explores: Trauma, Family Secrets, Mental Illness.
If the intergenerational trauma in The Gathering resonated with you, you will appreciate how this series uses a haunted setting to force a fractured family to face their collective past.
House of Guinness
Steven Knight · Series · 2025
Shares a thread with The Gathering: Family Saga.
This saga echoes the atmospheric intensity of The Gathering, centering on siblings burdened by the dark secrets and complex legacy left behind by their deceased patriarch in historic Dublin.
Brothers and Sisters
Jon Robin Baitz · Series · 2006
Shares a thread with The Gathering: Intergenerational Trauma.
Much like the Hegarty clan in The Gathering, this family struggles to maintain their bond while navigating the intense grief, rivalry, and hidden secrets that threaten to tear them apart.
Bad Sisters
Sharon Horgan · Series · 2022
Explores: Sisterhood, Toxic Relationships, Murder Conspiracy.
This series shares the sharp, Irish sensibilities of The Gathering, exploring the complicated dynamics of sisterhood and the lengths to which a family will go to protect their own.
Podcasts on the same thread
Family Flowers Only by Grief Ireland
Podcast
Explores: grief, loss, mourning.
If The Gathering moved you with its unflinching look at mourning, this resource provides a necessary, grounded space to explore the same themes of grief and community healing.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Gathering by Anne Enright considered a portrait of an Irish family?
Yes, The Gathering is a moving and evocative portrait of the Hegarty clan. The story follows the nine surviving children as they gather in Dublin, representing a significant addition to the Irish literary tradition by blending traditional lyricism with a modern narrative style.
What is the central focus of The Gathering?
The Gathering focuses on the nine surviving children of the Hegarty family. The narrative centers on their reunion in Dublin, exploring the dynamics of this large Irish family while serving as a poignant piece of literature from the acclaimed writer Anne Enright.
Who is the author of The Gathering?
The Gathering was written by Anne Enright, a writer of international stature. She is recognized as one of Ireland's most singular voices, and this 2007 novel is noted for bringing a fresh perspective and a unique style to the Irish literary tradition.
When was The Gathering published?
The Gathering, a novel by Anne Enright, was published in 2007. It is regarded as an evocative work that captures the complexities of the Hegarty family as they assemble in Dublin, showcasing Enright's ability to combine lyrical writing with a modern, impactful narrative.