48 pages 1 hour read

Kate Atkinson

Case Histories: A Novel

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2004

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Chapters 22-28

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 22 Summary: “Caroline”

Caroline jokingly asks for a Mercedes for her birthday and Jonathan buys it for her. She thinks that he must be getting it as a farewell gift, since she knows he has a mistress and is bored with her marriage. She decides to take the car and leave, making a fresh start with her unborn child. She wants the baby to grow up feeling loved and cherished and knows that will not happen here. On her way out of town, she sees the vicar on a bike path and offers him a ride, telling him that she is leaving and will never come back. He realizes she is not joking and tries to decide as she counts to 10.

Chapter 23 Summary: “Case History No. 3 1979: Everything From Duty, Nothing From Love”

Michelle is furious at Keith for waking the baby and tosses the ax near him. He becomes enraged and she is frightened, but before he can grab the ax, Shirley takes it and kills him. Shirley then tells Michelle that she has ruined all their lives. Michelle, feeling guilty for her lack of maternal love and her rage, tells Shirley that she will take the blame. She asks her to give Tanya a fresh start and do what she cannot for her child.

Related Titles

By Kate Atkinson

Study Guide

logo

A God in Ruins

Kate Atkinson

A God in Ruins

Kate Atkinson

Plot Summary

logo

Behind the Scenes at the Museum

Kate Atkinson

Behind the Scenes at the Museum

Kate Atkinson

Study Guide

logo

Life After Life

Kate Atkinson

Life After Life

Kate Atkinson

Study Guide

logo

Shrines of Gaiety

Kate Atkinson

Shrines of Gaiety

Kate Atkinson

Plot Summary

logo

Started Early, Took my Dog

Kate Atkinson

Started Early, Took my Dog

Kate Atkinson

Plot Summary

logo

When Will There Be Good News?

Kate Atkinson

When Will There Be Good News?

Kate Atkinson