49 pages 1 hour read

Ian McEwan

The Children Act

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014

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Chapter 3

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 3 Summary

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness, religious discrimination, and death.

Fiona drives to the hospital with Adam’s social worker, Marina Greene. On the way, she wonders if she’s making the right decision by going to see Adam. She composes a text to Jack insisting that he can’t have an affair but doesn’t send it and shuts off her phone. She keeps replaying the situation in her mind without finding a solution.

As they approach the hospital, Fiona remembers the one time she was admitted for a stomach virus as a child. She enjoyed the experience because she was taken care of, and nothing was seriously wrong with her. She later visited hospitals several times to see loved ones. She now gets a sense of hope and possibility as she sees Edith Cavell Hospital coming into view.

Marina breaks the silence to tell Fiona about her cat. Fiona remarks about Marina’s self-possessed pet, insisting that she tell Adam the story.

Inside, the women take the escalator to pediatric oncology, where they find Adam’s room. The nurses urge Fiona to change Adam’s mind about his condition and treatment. Fiona is immediately taken by Adam when she sees him.

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