London

London, where Smith was born, is one of the central settings in this collection of essays. It is the clear setting in the first essay, “Northwest London Blues,” and heavily referenced in the third essay, “Fences: A Brexit Diary.” In both of these essays, Smith describes London as a place fallen prey to privatization efforts, pushed by a more conservative government. Elsewhere, in essays such as "The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi," Smith highlights London's racial, religious and ethnic diversity, which she believes should be celebrated rather than denigrated.

New York City

New York City, where Smith currently resides with her husband and children, is also a central setting in Feel Free. The Manhattan lifestyle and psyche is referenced directly in “Find Your Beach,” where Smith is critical of Manhattanites’ individualism, obsessive work ethic, and solipsism.

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is referenced frequently throughout...