Ripley College

The novel opens at a fictional college in Vermont called Ripley College. Jacob is a teacher there, and he has taught there for several years while struggling to write a new novel. Jacob first encounters Evan Parker at Ripley. Evan is a student there, not because he thinks he will learn anything, but because he wants to gain connections to the publishing world. While at Ripley, Evan tells his plot idea to Jacob. A couple years later, after Jacob learns of Evan’s death, he decides to steal Evan’s plot idea.

New York City

Following the success of Crib, Jacob moves to an upscale apartment in New York City. New York City is also where Jacob’s agent and publisher are based. Only a few important scenes take place in New York City, but it is technically Jacob’s home for much of the novel. Anna...