Vermont

The majority of the novel is set in Vermont, particularly in the Montpelier region. Grace resides here with her mother, Anna, and father, Jonathan. They live in a house not far from Lake Champlain, where Grace and Anna take trips every day.

Most scenes set in Vermont occur in the Davitt family's Vermont house. Grace begins spending all of her time here with her mother after her parents withdraw her from school. She and Anna spend their days studying the cosmic calendar in the spare room, baking cakes in the kitchen, or watching television in the living room.

Other scenes set in the Vermont house occur in the basement, where Jonathan starts spending all of his time after losing his teaching job. During the summer, the family spends more time in the yard, where Anna builds a garden out of rocks, or where Grace and Alec play games...