Rosario, Argentina

The majority of the novel is set in Rosario, a city located in Argentina. Camila was born here, and lives here in the narrative present with her mother, father, and brother. Though Camila loves her hometown and her country, her life is limited by cultural expectations. As a young woman, the person Camila is allowed to be and to become is limited. Her life is also defined by the constant threat of violence. Throughout the novel, young girls are constantly disappearing and turning up dead. Therefore, even though Camila is familiar with her town and community, she lives in constant fear. Though she sees the missing girls posters all over town, she is reluctant to listen to her family and friends' warnings.

When Diego returns to Rosario and tells Camila about how much he misses their town, Camila is surprised. She had never before thought about the...