Opioid, Indiana

The novel’s primary setting is a small town in Indiana. The town’s actual name is never stated. Riggle, the protagonist and narrator, refers to the town only as Opioid, Indiana. Riggle likely chose this name in reference to the opioid crisis that has affected many towns in the United States. Due to corporate malfeasance, many people have become addicted to opioids and have died. The novel takes place in the winter, and Riggle repeatedly thinks about how he prefers the weather of Texas, where he used to live. Additionally, Riggle dislikes the presence of racist views in the town, such as the views held by the Bicycling Confederate.

February, 2018

Chronologically, the novel’s main story takes place in the month of February, 2018. The novel occasionally alludes to specific events that are relevant to this specific timeframe. For example, Riggle and Bennet go to see Black...