Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the novel's main setting in the present, home to Flora, Julian and Ruby, and Margot and David, who had preceded the Fletchers West by several years. As native New Yorkers, Flora and Julia always prided themselves on their decision to stay in the city from which they derived a smug superiority over other New York acting friends like Margot who moved to L.A. for better work or quality-of-life opportunities. Well into Ruby's childhood, Flora and Julian believed that in comparison to New York, L.A. had no energy or edge, but their minds changed after a few annual visits with Margot and David after they had already relocated. Ruby especially loved it there, and by the time she was a teenager Flora was ready to follow Julian to Hollywood when he lands his series. For the three main characters, all actors from New...