If you loved
The Gathering
Anne Enright · Book · 2007
What hooked you in The Gathering is how deep-seated family secrets and repressed memories inevitably fracture the bonds of those left behind.
Films on the same thread
Brothers
Jim Sheridan · Film · 2009
Like The Gathering, this film explores the devastating impact of trauma on family dynamics, showing how hidden guilt and shifting loyalties can tear apart the closest fraternal bonds.
Angela's Ashes
Alan Parker · Film · 1999
If the Irish identity and domestic struggle within The Gathering resonated with you, this story of family hardship and enduring poverty offers a similarly stark, authentic look at life.
The Wind That Shakes the Barley
Ken Loach · Film · 2006
This film mirrors the moral conflict and brotherly betrayal found in The Gathering, grounding its exploration of Irish identity in the heavy, lingering weight of historical and personal trauma.
The Celebration
Thomas Vinterberg · Film · 1998
This story shares the exact atmosphere of a dysfunctional family gathering where long-buried secrets are finally brought to light, forcing a confrontation with the past much like in The Gathering.
Series on the same thread
House of Guinness
Steven Knight · Series · 2025
Much like the Hegarty clan in The Gathering, this saga centers on siblings burdened by their family legacy, where dark, hidden secrets threaten to destroy their collective future.
Bad Sisters
Sharon Horgan · Series · 2022
This show captures the same intensity of complex, toxic family ties found in The Gathering, focusing on how shared secrets and deep-seated resentment test the limits of sisterly loyalty.
My Brilliant Friend
Saverio Costanzo · Series · 2018
The focus on memory and the reconstruction of a formative relationship in this series echoes the reflective, lyrical journey through the past that defines the narrative of The Gathering.
Desperate Housewives
Marc Cherry · Series · 2004
If you were drawn to the dark, domestic undercurrents of The Gathering, you will recognize the same obsession with the hidden lies that simmer beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives.
Podcasts on the same thread
Crime World Presents: Caught In The Crossfire
Podcast
While rooted in true crime, this podcast mirrors the sense of tragic, unexpected loss that permeates the background of The Gathering, exploring how violence interrupts the fabric of Dublin life.
The Archers
Podcast
Those who appreciated the intricate, multi-generational family portrait in The Gathering will enjoy this long-running look at the evolving, complex relationships within a community bound by shared history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Gathering by Anne Enright about a specific family?
Yes, The Gathering follows the nine surviving children of the Hegarty clan. The story centers on these siblings as they assemble in Dublin for the wake of their brother, providing a moving and evocative portrait of their complex family history.
What is the tone of The Gathering?
The Gathering is described as a portrait of a large Irish family that combines the lyricism of traditional Irish writing with a modern, shocking perspective. It is considered a significant contribution to the Irish literary tradition by author Anne Enright.
Who wrote The Gathering?
The Gathering was written by Anne Enright, an author of international stature. She is recognized as one of the most singular voices in contemporary Irish literature, known for her dazzling writing style and ability to revitalize the Irish literary tradition.
What brings the characters together in The Gathering?
In The Gathering, the nine surviving children of the Hegarty clan are brought together in Dublin for the wake of their brother. This event serves as the catalyst for the narrative, exploring the dynamics and history of the large Irish family.