Miami

Miami, Florida, serves as the overarching setting of the novel. Positioned just miles from Cuba, Miami is portrayed as a frontline city during the height of Cold War tensions, which permeate the narrative through subtle references to political unrest, fears of rebellion, and the impending Bay of Pigs invasion. This historical backdrop adds an undercurrent of anxiety and uncertainty to the characters’ lives. For Mice, the city’s relentless sunshine is not only physically harsh due to her albinism but also symbolic of her exposure and vulnerability. The bright, unforgiving light accentuates her differences, making her hyper-visible and underscoring her isolation within a community that is both watchful and unwelcoming.

Reef Way Neighborhood

The Reef Way neighborhood, where Mice and Jody relocate following their mother’s death, is depicted as a close-knit but insular community that rejects them. Despite their efforts to belong, the sisters remain outsiders, never...