The story is set in a small town in Idaho called Trout, a rural community of white residents. The smallness of the town is significant because the characters have generally known each other for a long time and have small-town attitudes—the good ones and the bad ones. There is a strong community spirit, often centered on the football team, and many adults in town show interest in the young people. On the other hand, everyone knows everyone's business and jealousies and bad feelings occur.