England

The novel is set in an unidentified community in England, in a city that is also unidentified but which seems to be mostly blue collar and within relatively easy reach of the sea.

Martyn's House

Martyn and Dad live in a somewhat decrepit and neglected home in what seems to be a slightly lower class area of their home city. It is there that Dad dies, and it is there that Martyn keeps Dad's body while Martyn tries to figure a way out of the circumstances triggered by Dad's death.

Rain

Rain is used throughout the narrative as a metaphoric representation of trouble and/or difficulty for Martyn. The connection is established in "Part 1, Wednesday, Section 2" when Martyn's realization that he is in "a sweet mess" is juxtaposed with the beginnings of a rainstorm. Here it's interesting to note that within moments of this juxtaposition, Alex arrives...