Read for pleasure, but will suggest for Book Club. Describes the development an£ decline of an affair, with the impact on two families. Great descriptions of relationship - between lovers, between siblings, between parents and children. Gina tells the story of her developing obsession with Sean Vallely. Really engaged me and made me think/reflect. ( )

This is my third Enright and while I enjoyed The Gathering, the other two have been meh.

I listened to this on Hoopla, and the narrator had an Irish accent that very much placed the story, but was also very clear.

The story centers on Gina, the narrator, who tells the story in first person. Much of it is very stream-of-consciousness style, as she narrates her relationships with her husband (Conner), the man she leaves him for (Sean), and Sean's daughter Evie. There are other characters--her sister, her BIL, Sean's wife, her mother, and other characters in the past.

This was shortlisted for the Women's Prize and is really not my kind of thing. First person, past tense. Gina is not someone to admire, and listening to her justify her actions is just...not for me. ( )

All the characters were unlikeable and stereotypes of their gender. The book as a whole was banal. But the writing quality was high, which is why it gets 2 stars instead of 1. ( )

The subject matter of the book was really the only thing I didn't like about it, so two stars is very unfair. I'm a horrible person.

This is about an affair between two married people, so if lots of information about sneaking around and booking hotel rooms and ducking in case someone sees you does not appeal then give this one a skip.

If that does sound like fun reading, I bet this is the best book you could read about it.

The characters are real and all very horrible. The male characters aren't really developed at all, which saves time, and everyone gets their just desserts. ( )

Enright has a way with words: she can produce a detailed picture with the minimum of words, as in "a copulatory crackle in the air". In this novel, she delves into the nitty gritty of family and love relationships. Excellent writing.

I enjoyed this, but preferred [The Gathering]. ( )