The Children Act

The Children Act is a novel by award-winning British author Ian McEwan. First published in the United States by Nan A. Talese in 2014, it is the London-set story of well-respected family law judge Fiona Maye, her disintegrating marriage, and the young man whose case changes her life forever. In 2017, McEwan wrote the screenplay for the feature-film version of The Children Act, which stars Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci, with direction by Richard Eyre.

As the novel opens, middle-aged High Court judge Fiona unwinds with a scotch and water after a particularly intense argument with her husband, Jack. Though she understands that her marriage has been on shaky footing for a while, she is nonetheless shocked that Jack has come to her and essentially asked her permission to have an affair. Jack, a college professor, finds himself attracted to a colleague, twenty-eight-year-old statistician Melanie, and, with Fiona's consent, he wants to start a sexual relationship with the younger woman. Outraged, Fiona tells him he is mad and that she would never grant her approval for an extramarital affair. She warns him in no uncertain terms that should he proceed with his pursuit of Melanie, then their marriage is over.

Fiona's clerk, Nigel, phones to tell her that she will hear an emergency case in the next few days. A seventeen-year-old Jehovah's Witness named Adam Henry has leukemia, and, based on their religious beliefs, his parents have refused a blood transfusion that could save his life. The hospital, charged with doing whatever is necessary to care for Adam to prolong his life, feels compelled to go against his parents' wishes, so the situation merits an official court ruling as soon as possible.



When Fiona hangs up, she looks out the window and sees Jack walking away from their flat, suitcase in hand.

The next day, as Fiona goes into work, she looks back at her marriage and the events that have led her and Jack to this point. She regrets that they have never had children, but her career has always been a priority, and she has the success and reputation to show for it. Once at her desk, she calls the locksmith and has him change the locks of the flat so Jack cannot come and go at his leisure. Technically, this is illegal for her to do, but she is strangely optimistic about being on her own. Later, at the end of the day, she returns to the empty flat; Jack has not attempted to get in touch with her.

The following day, Fiona hears Adam's case. Not wanting to make a misstep in such a major decision, she decides to meet with Adam before issuing her ruling.



At the hospital, Fiona and Adam form an instant bond. He shares with her some of the poetry he has written and then plays his violin as she sings along. Utterly charmed, Fiona leaves the hospital and hands down her decision: Adam must have the blood transfusion.

When Fiona arrives home at the end of the day, Jack is sitting in front of their door, suitcase at his side. He admits that he was foolish to pursue the idea of an affair and that he quite likes his life with Fiona. While she anticipates their lives returning to normal, Fiona can't help but feel a bit disappointed; part of her had been looking forward to living alone.

Several months later, a case calls Fiona to the city of Newcastle. Adam has been writing her letters and expressing his gratitude for her decision. He is angry at his parents and no longer shares their religious beliefs. Fiona does not encourage his communication, ignoring his letters. Nevertheless, when she gets to Newcastle, she discovers Adam has followed her there. He has run away from home and asks if he can come live with her and Jack. Fiona refuses. After getting him a train ticket home, she leans in to kiss his cheek goodbye. Instead, Adam turns his face, and they kiss on the lips.



Fiona panics. No matter how innocent or inadvertent the kiss was, she could lose her job, her reputation, all she has worked for, if anyone were to find out. When she receives another letter from Adam, this one a poem comparing her to Satan, she again ignores his communications.

One evening, at a Christmas concert, Fiona learns that Adam has died. His leukemia returned, and now being eighteen years old, he made the decision to forgo a lifesaving transfusion. Consumed by guilt, Fiona feels his death is her fault because she refused to let him live with her and sent him back to his religious parents, who undoubtedly influenced his decision. Later, at home, Jack comforts her, and she confesses everything to him, from the case to the kiss to Adam's death. Her revelation brings her and Jack closer, and they experience a renewed commitment to one another.