Human Croquet Summary
Kate Atkinson

Human Croquet Summary

The novel Human Croquet presents the story of Isobel Fairfax, her family, and friends in 1960 England. Isobel as principle narrator tells a story that moves forward and backward through history. The story begins on April 1, 1960, Isobel's sixteenth birthday.

In a short introductory chapter Isobel tells the history of her region of England, the town of Lythe. She goes far back into English history and chronicles the sixteenth century figure Sir Francis Fairfax, who built his manor in the area of Lythe and married Lady Fairfax. After the decline of Fairfax manor, the descendants of Sir Francis remained in the area, and their fortunes waxed and waned. Isobel's family's current house, Arden, stands on the location of what was once Fairfax Manor.

Isobel has a brother named Charles, who is fascinated by topics generally regarded as science fiction. His particular interests center on alien abductions. This may be... View more of the Human Croquet Summary