Turin

This is a city in Italy where the book takes place. Olga is not a native here, but rather has followed Mario to this location for his work at the Polytechnic. There, the family live in the fifth floor apartment of a large house, situated on a square. Residents of this city go away for the summer. The apartment has a balcony from which Olga looks at the Po river. Olga thinks at first that the city is too metallic, but she grows to love if for the way it transforms with each season.

Largo Brescia

This is a neighborhood where Olga believes Mario lives. It is driving distance from Olga’s home, yet separated from the rest of the city by shining tram tracks. There, people hang their sheets out on the line to dry, and the apartments have gray satellite dishes. The night when Olga visits...