Part I Summary

The novel opens with Barry Fairbrother taking his wife to dinner for their nineteenth anniversary. Initially he forgot about the anniversary, but at the last minute, he is able to make a reservations at the golf course restaurant. Walking into the restaurant, he falls to the ground and has a fatal aneurysm.

The novel takes place in a small English town called Pagford. Barry is a city councilman in Pagford and many people are after his seat. After his death, the first chapter revolves around how the other characters in the novel reacted to his death.

After the scene of Barry's death, the first chapter flits around briefly introducing characters and their reaction to the news of Barry's death.

Miles calls his dad Howard to tell him about Barry dying from something to do within brain.

Simon and Ruth are talking...