Detroit

Detroit is one of the primary settings for the events of Hystopia. It is the site of the Psych Corps and their enfolding procedures, and the nearby connected city of Flint is where the Zomboid and Wendy’s father live. Detroit’s significance as the car manufacturing capital of the nation in the 1970s adds to the novel’s tense, oppressive atmosphere. When the riots begin, the image of Detroit on fire lends an apocalyptic feel to Singleton and Wendy’s pursuit of Rake.

The Great Lakes

In stark contrast with polluted Detroit, rural Michigan is portrayed as a green oasis, with the Great Lakes serving as the epitome of this peaceful environment. When Meg is first led to the lake by Hank, she experiences a surge of calm and confidence. The Great Lakes also are the site of both her and Singleton’s unfolding. In the pure...