A Severed Head - In-depth Summary

In-depth Summary

The story begins with Martin Lynch-Gibbon at his mistress’ Georgie’s house- an affair that he does not consider to be immoral. After saying goodbye to Georgie, Martin returns home to his older wife Antonia. Upon arriving home, Antonia informs Martin that she wishes to divorce him so that she can marry Palmer Anderson- her psychoanalyst. Martin “takes it well” and moves out of the house. Before officially moving, Martin returns to his brother Alexander’s home. While there he learns that Antonia had already written to Alexander about the divorce- leaving Alexander quite shaken.

Later Martin returns to Hereford Square where Antonia, now acting as a mother figure for him, tries to set up his new accommodation. After fighting with Antonia, he goes to the train station to pick up Palmer’s half-sister Honor Klein. After a few days, Martin finally visit Georgie. While Georgie wants to publicize their affair, Martin refuses because he believes it will “hurt” Antonia. However, they do decide to go to Hereford Square so that Georgie can see the home. While Martin is showing her around, they hear someone arrive at the house. In a rush of panic, and assuming it is Antonia, Georgie is rushed out the back door, despite her wishes to meet Antonia. However, it turns out that it was only Honor and not Antonia. Honor notices Georgie’s handbag that was left in her rush out the door.

After the event, Martin tries to contact Georgie but is unable to and soon returns to the house. There he finds out that Palmer and Antonia know about Georgie. After being scolded like a child by the two of them, Martin finds Georgie and learns that Honor Klein had exposed their secret. Soon after Georgie meets Antonia in an awkward situation.

Later after a breakfast with Antonia, where they decide that Martin should take a short vacation, Martin calls upon Georgie only to discover that his brother Alexander is there. Martin is made even more furious when he discovers that Honor Klein was the person who introduced them to each other. After drunkenly returning to the Hereford Square home, Martin gets in a fight with Honor. After writing apology letters and waiting two days, Martin tries to find Antonia and Honor, only to find out that Antonia had gone and Honor was back in Cambridge. Around this time, Martin realizes that he is madly in love with Honor.

Being driven by love, Martin goes to Honor’s place in Cambridge and discovers her sleeping with Palmer. Even though Martin doesn’t tell Antonia, Palmer believes he has, and begins to act strangely around Antonia. At this time, Antonia decides that she should be with Martin instead, causing Martin to cut off his affair with Georgie officially. A few days later, Alexander comes by to inform Martin that he will be getting married to Georgie, rekindling Martin’s feelings for her and making him very upset.

After an angry confrontation with Palmer where he announces that he and Honor will be travelling, Martin receives a package of hair from Georgie. Martin discovers an unconscious Georgie (attempted suicide) and is joined by Honor while waiting for the ambulance. After a scene in the hospital where everyone is gathered, Martin confesses his love to Honor. Honor says she knows but it does not matter because she is going away. Upon returning to Antonia, she informs him that she has had an ongoing affair with Alexander and that they will be getting married. In the end, Palmer and Georgie go away together, Alexander and Antonia are together, and Honor stays in England with Martin.