Bed- Stuy, Brooklyn New York

The majority of the novel is set in Bed-Stuy. This is the neighborhood where Penelope grew up and where her father has lived for 46 years. Ralph believes that Bed- Stuy is part of his identity and that he was no one before he moved to Brooklyn. When Penelope return after her five years away, she notices how rapidly the neighborhood is changing and gentrifying.

Halsey Street house

This is the property Ralph bought after marrying Mirella and where Penelope grew up. The house is in decaying condition and has had a leak on one of the floors for a long time. The garden used to be beautiful when Mirella lived there, however only her flower pots remain. Penelope refuses to return to live in the house when she moves back to Brooklyn. She moves back in when Ralph has to be put in a...