The book has various settings but most of the action of the novel takes place in and around Bombay, India. The action begins with Lindsay's arrival in Bombay. He enters the country on a phony passport, meets two Canadians on the bus, and shares a room with them at the India Guest House. He travels around the city seeing the sites with his guide Prabu. Much of the action takes place at Leopold's Beer Bar, since it is the meeting place for many of the main characters.