Mexico

The vast majority of the novel’s story takes place in Mexico. Gustavo is born and raised in Mexico and lives there throughout the narrative. Gustavo holds a high opinion of his home country, despite holding a low opinion of its inhabitants: “Despite the Mexicans, who make every possible effort to ruin everything, Mexico is glorious” (35). Gustavo finds himself at once steeped in Mexican culture and held somewhat aloof from it. This is partially because he considers himself a rather worldly and educated man. However, this aloofness may be due more to the fact that he is generally a hermit, as revealed by Jacobo.

Ecatepec

Ecatepec is a Mexican city located just to the north of Mexico’s capital, Mexico City. Gustavo and his parents move to Ecatepec shortly after Gustavo is born. There, Gustavo’s mother supports them by working as a cleaning woman. Gustavo continues to...