Howard and Annie's House, Los Angeles, California

Howard and Annie's house is the primary setting of the novel, and where Ruth spends most of her time. The months pass by as Ruth cooks, thinks, writes in her journal, and comes up with ways to pass the time as she looks after her father. Here, she spends two Christmases, Thanksgiving, and several dinners with her parents and Howard's students.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco represents everything in Ruth's past life. Her old apartment is there that she was supposed to share with Joel, and her old job is there, which she quit to be able to take care of Howard. San Francisco stands for broken dreams and disappointment for Ruth, and when she finally cleans out her apartment, she is able to start to let go of that old part of her life.

University

The university where Howard teaches is...