San Juan

San Juan is the primary backdrop for the novel. It is one of the "San Juan Channel's scattered islands" off the coast of the Washington State mainland (3). This is where Sam and Elena Arthur were born, grew up, and continue to live in the narrative present. At 28, Sam feels desperate to leave San Juan. She sees the place as a trap and is convinced that as long as she Elena live here, their lives will never change. She believes that they "have to move" if they want "a life worth living" (7). Throughout the novel, Sam therefore lives in conflict with her surroundings. She struggles to embrace any goodness in her daily experience, because she is so disgruntled with where she is. By way of contrast, Elena has a more balanced and positive relationship with the place. She sees San Juan as her home, and has no intention...