Philadelphia

Parts 1, 2, and 3 are primarily set in Northeast Philadelphia, where Adina is born and grows up. After her father leaves the family, Adina lives here with her mother, Térèse. Located "across from Auto World," their apartment "comprises the bottom floor of a two-unit brick building attached to another brick building, attached to another brick building, and so on" (7). Although they do not live a glamorous life in Philadelphia, Térèse and Adina often struggle to support themselves. Térèse works various jobs and picks up freelance gigs in order to make ends meet. Adina's life in Philadelphia is therefore largely dictated by these financial strains.

After Adina finishes high school, she cannot afford to go away to college and continues living with her mother and waitressing in her hometown. This era of Adina's life is depicted in Part 3. Adina feels trapped by Philadelphia at this...