Content Warning: This section of the guide analyzes the source text’s graphic depiction of the sexual abuse of children, grief, addiction, and death by suicide.

Veronica is the central character and narrator of The Gathering. Her grief and guilt over her beloved brother Liam’s death informs the tone of the novel, while her quest for the truth is a central internal conflict as she struggles to use history to make sense of the present.

Veronica has long resented her mother for having so many children, too many to take proper care of. As a child, Veronica felt unwanted and abandoned by her family. Without the protection of a stable family life, Veronica grew up learning how to be secretive and independent. Now, being a mother makes her appreciate the beauty of having children, but her resentment of her mother and siblings lingers. While the Hegarty family all get along, they are not close, only superficially friendly. Veronica’s relationship with Liam is different because they were sent to their grandmother’s house as children, when their mother couldn’t take care of so many kids. Veronica and Liam have always had a genuine friendship. His death therefore unmoors her.