New York

The entirety of Ghosts of New York takes place in Manhattan, in various neighborhoods ranging from the Upper West Side to the Lower East Side. Much of the thematic and narrative energy in the novel centers on Lewis’ characterization of the city as an indescribable, complex, and powerfully interwoven knot of human relations. As the title suggests, Lewis considers New York to be a city of ghosts, complete with endless attendant stories.

Columbia University

Lewis sets much of “Johnny and Bridget” on the campus of Columbia University, in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The university is a bastion of intellectualism, power, and occasional pretension. Johnny, Bridget, and Mike all attend the school. Although all three find that many of the professors and students are fairly snobbish, Bridget considers the school to be an escape from her former life in California.

Benny's Store

Many of Benny’s...