London

The novel is set in two distinct London neighborhoods. The Pasha family lives in Wembley near Preston Road, and the Lone family lives in Notting Hill. The Pasha family home overlooks the Preston Road Metro station, which Parvaiz records for his sound reel. Pasha also records at nearby Wembley Stadium. Wembley is an ethnically-diverse neighborhood, particularly when compared to posh, upper-class Notting Hill. The two neighborhoods allow for character contrasts between the two families. The Lones are secular and wealthy, the Pashas are religious and middle class, and it is clearly implied that Karamat Lone achieved his wealth and power partly because he has vocally denounced the Islamic religion and its followers.

Northampton/Amherst Massachusetts

The first part of the novel takes place in the Northampton/Amherst area, where Isma Pasha has just relocated to get her PhD in sociology. She stays with her former mentor, Dr. Hira...