Ankara

The first section of the novel, told from the perspective of the narrator, takes place in Ankara, Turkey. Ankara is a bleak location for both the narrator and for Raif as it is the location where both abandon their artistic and emotional desires in exchange for paid employment that means nothing to either of them. There is hope, however, that after reading Raif’s diary the narrator may be able to carve a life for himself in Ankara that has greater depth and meaning.

Berlin

The majority of the narrative takes place in Berlin, Germany, shortly after the end of World War One. Postwar hyper-inflation makes Berlin a difficult place for Germans to live because their money does not go as far as it did before the war. While Maria must work in order to support herself and her mother, Raif has enough money to get by comfortably...