V for Vendetta Summary
Description
Here you will find a V for Vendetta summary (Alan Moore's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters
V for Vendetta Summary Overview
In an imagined near-future dystopian Britain, a neo-fascist party known as Norsefire establishes postwar order following a devastating nuclear war. This regime, which is centered on racism, homophobia, and xenophobia, conducts horrifying atrocities in Resettlement Camps, imprisoning, torturing, and murdering citizens they consider undesirable. The authoritarian government, under the leadership of Adam Susan, imposes severe restrictions on its survivors, who also grapple with food scarcity and disease. A ubiquitous surveillance network and aggressive suppression of dissent secure their power, while state-produced propaganda misinforms and manipulates the public. The story introduces us to a character known as V, who dons a Guy Fawkes mask, referencing a historical figure who famously attempted to blow up the House of Lords in 1605. After rescuing Evey Hammond, a young woman forced into prostitution by the dire circumstances, from a violent encounter with secret police, V orchestrates the destruction of the Houses of Parliament. He brings Evey to his abode, the Shadow Gallery, which houses various forms of cultural artifacts that the regime tried to eradicate. V's mission of vengeance against those responsible for the atrocities at Larkhill Resettlement Camp is gradually revealed, as he kidnaps and confronts the camp’s former commander Lewis Prothero. V forces Prothero to confront the horrors enacted at the camp, asserting that he was not merely following orders but was complicit in the horrific acts. As the narrative progresses, V systematically eliminates those who were involved in the crimes against humanity committed at Larkhill. Meanwhile, investigator Eric Finch uncovers more about the camp's dark history through the diary of another of V's targets, Dr. Delia Surridge. V also uses his platform to critique not only tyrants but those who enable them through their silence and complacency. After a simulated imprisonment experience orchestrated by V, Evey gains a new understanding of freedom and personal integrity. In the wake of rising chaos and turmoil in London, V’s vision of a stateless society where people are free to govern themselves begins to take shape. After V's death, Evey takes up his revolutionary cause, advocating for a society that prioritizes freedom and self-determination.
book 1
The narrative opens in a dystopian London on November 5, 1997, with a broadcast from The Voice of Fate echoing through the streets under the watchful gaze of surveillance cameras. The broadcast reports on police raids and calls upon citizens to "make Britain great again". Evey Hammond, a 16-year-old, ventures into prostitution and unwittingly attracts the attention of a police officer staking out near Westminster Bridge. Before the officer and his comrades can hurt her, a man adorned with a Guy Fawkes mask intervenes. Known later as V, he saves Evey and together they witness the explosive destruction of the Houses of Parliament, orchestrated by V. Following this, the government's surveillance team reports to the Norsefire government's Leader, Adam Susan. Susan orders the secret police to fabricate a cover story for the bombing. In a meeting at Jordan Tower, government officials admire Lewis Prothero, the actual voice behind The Voice of Fate. Meanwhile, Evey explores V's home, the Shadow Gallery, which houses a collection of art and culture, banned by the Norsefire government. Later, V kidnaps Prothero and kills two government officials. Upon discovering the crime scene, Eric Finch vows to catch V. Finch discovers a unique rose on the crime scene and Evey shares her memories of a Britain destroyed by nuclear war and the rise of the fascist Norsefire party. The party eradicated all it deemed undesirable, including her father. Prothero wakes up in a uniform, beneath a sign that reads, "Larkhill Resettlement Camp." Inside the Shadow Gallery, V reenacts scenes from Larkhill for Prothero, who used to be its commander. Despite Prothero's denials of culpability, V shows him the horrific experiments conducted there, driving Prothero to insanity. He is released but can no longer be the voice of The Voice of Fate. Leader Susan expresses his admiration for fascism and disdain for individual freedom. V, in contrast, scorns the statue symbolizing justice for aligning with fascists and detonates it. V and Evey hatch a plan to further their cause. At Westminster Abbey, state representative Bishop Lilliman warns his congregation about a looming dark force. After church, a discussion about V's attacks takes place among government officials. The Bishop, a serial abuser, takes Evey to his chambers, unaware that she is working with V. V kills the Bishop, leaving behind yet another unique rose. Finch and his team examine the crime scene and discover the Bishop's connection to Larkhill. Evey refuses to partake in V's future murders. Later, V reads her a children's book. Meanwhile, Derek Almond, a government official, threatens his wife Rosemary with violence. As Finch and his assistant try to uncover V's identity, they realize that key figures associated with Larkhill are being murdered. Their investigations lead them to Dr. Surridge, another Larkhill veteran. Before they can reach her, V kills her and Almond, who arrives too late. Finch discovers Dr. Surridge's diary from Larkhill at the scene and learns about the inhumane experiments conducted there, including those on V. Finch hypothesizes that V left the diary intentionally but took out some pages to maintain his anonymity. The investigators are left wondering about V's true identity.
book 2
In the second part of "V for Vendetta," V serenades a song titled “This Vicious Cabaret," referencing characters like the earnest policeman Finch, Leader Susan, and Evey, who is prepared to plunge into anarchy with V. On January 5, 1998, Evey questions V about their lack of a romantic relationship. V denies any familial ties to Evey and leaves her in the street. During Derek Almond’s funeral, his widow Rosemary mourns his loss despite his evil deeds. With no financial support or job, she feels bereft. Concurrently, V intrudes a Norsefire-controlled film studio, killing the staff who were criticizing a racially charged action show. V then uses the studio’s airwaves to reproach London’s citizens for their moral degradation. After V's critical broadcast and subsequent supposed death at the hands of the armed forces, it is revealed that they killed Roger Dascombe, who was disguised as V. Meanwhile, Finch punches Peter Creedy, Almond’s successor, upon learning about Finch’s affair with Dr. Surridge. Evey starts living with Gordon, a criminal involved in smuggling. Evey initiates a sexual relationship with Gordon, only to see him murdered by crime boss Alistair Harper. The sight of Gordon's body takes her back to her past traumas, making her feel deserted once again. Meanwhile, Rosemary Almond, destitute now, starts dancing at a cabaret to earn a living. In her quest for revenge, Evey loses consciousness due to chloroform while being kidnapped by what seems to be the state police. She then experiences a series of tumultuous dreams featuring her past and V. Upon waking up, Evey finds herself in a prison cell. Her captors shave her head, accuse her of murder, and torture her. She finds solace in a letter from a lesbian prisoner, Valerie. Despite being tortured, Evey refuses to sign a confession of her involvement in V's murders. Her refusal to surrender even in the face of death leads to her release. She discovers that she's back in V's Shadow Gallery. An enraged Evey realizes that V staged her entire imprisonment to liberate her from the oppressive society. V then leads Evey to the rooftop and invites her to transform. Subsequently, Evey kisses V in the Shadow Gallery, where he assures her of the validity of Valerie’s story. Back at the Kitty-Kat Keller, Rose continues her cabaret dancing while Leader Susan receives a cryptic note from V. The storyline wraps up with V alerting Evey about an approaching final act.
book 3
As Book Three starts, precisely a year after the beginning of Book One, V informs Evey that their story's end is imminent and predetermined. In his role as The Voice of Fate, he disrupts state infrastructure and surveillance systems, assuring Londoners of their temporary freedom. Leader Susan, now mentally unstable, anthropomorphizes Fate's supercomputer. Chaos ensues on London's streets, with Susan demanding looters be executed. V explains to Evey about the current stage of chaos, Verwirrung, and how it will lead to voluntary order, Ordnung, and pure anarchy. Witnessing the chaos, including hangings and brutal treatment of Asian women, V tells Evey that an authoritarian regime is vulnerable. Helen Heyer schemes to control the government through her husband, Conrad. Crime boss Alistair Harper, now state-employed, meets Peter Creedy while Helen secretly persuades Harper to betray Creedy in return for more money. Rosemary Almond, a burlesque dancer, reflects on her husband, Derek's, and her passivity when the government took away their neighbors, presuming they were killed. Susan realizes V is manipulating Fate's supercomputer, causing blackouts and food riots. Visiting Larkhill Resettlement Camp, Finch takes LSD to comprehend V's psyche. His hallucinations reveal horrific scenes from the camp, which are replaced by visions of diversity. He expresses regret over the camp's victims and tries to communicate his love for them. In his hallucination, Finch is imprisoned but escapes, celebrating his liberation from the state's lies. V introduces Evey to the Shadow Gallery's monitoring room, which is still connected to the state's surveillance cameras, and outlines his two-phase plot. Helen sleeps with Harper, believing the surveillance camera is disconnected. Finch leaves Larkhill to pursue V, ending up in London's subway. After a confrontation in the subway, Finch fatally wounds V, but not before V declares that his ideology cannot be killed. At a state parade, Rosemary shoots Susan dead. Conrad sees a video by V disclosing Helen's treachery, and Harper, under Helen's instructions, kills Creedy. A bleeding V returns to Evey, urging her to self-govern before dying. He declares his love for Evey and leaves her with a mysterious mission. Evey contemplates V's final words and considers the possibility of him being her father. She decides to unmask him, seeing her reflection and surmising V's identity. Conrad and Harper's fight ends with Harper dead and Conrad grievously injured. Helen plugs in the camera to let Conrad watch himself die, foiling her plan to puppeteer Conrad. Amid the riots, Evey, dressed as V, announces the citizens' newfound freedom. Evey sends V's body, laden with explosives, through the underground network, causing a massive explosion. In the Shadow Gallery, she tends to an injured rioter, potentially her future protégé. She encounters a desperate Helen, now homeless, who suggests they work together to restore order. Finch rejects her offer and leaves alone, heading towards Hatfield and the North.
