Cairo, Egypt

Cairo is the city in Egypt where the majority of the novel is set. Both Parts One and Two take place in this location. After living in New York City for many years, Noor decides to relocate to this Egyptian city. Although her parents cannot understand why she would want to move to the country from which they emigrated years prior, Noor is hopeful that life in Cairo will grant her the sense of home and belonging for which she has been searching.

Throughout Noor's time in Cairo, however, she feels almost perpetually out of place. She often feels misunderstood or harassed. The only places that she feels nominally comfortable are at Café Riche with her friends Reem and Sami, and in her downtown apartment. After Noor becomes involved with the boy from Shobrakheit, Noor's experience of Cairo changes. She realizes that locals treat her differently when...