Philadelphia

The novel's main setting, Philadelphia, provides the backdrop for Sarah's explorations and self-discovery. Because Philadelphia is a city recognizable to even those who have never visited it, A.S. King is able to use landmarks, such as the Liberty Bell and the art museum where Rocky does his famous air punches to anchor the reader in the city. However, the novel also uses specifics of Philadelphia that only locals would know or understand: dividing lines between safe and unsafe neighborhoods, small and lesser known museums, and less familiar parks all create a landscape that is also unfamiliar to readers. This combination mirrors, to some extent, the landscape of abuse. People think they know what it looks like, but beneath the surface are specific complexities unique to each individual situation.

Sarah's House

Sarah lives in an older row house in a part of the city where it is unnecessary...