New Haven, Connecticut

New Haven, Connecticut is the overall setting for the novel. Billie and the other characters move around the city in their daily lives. There are several specific settings described as part of this, including the television studio where Mason interviews Billie.

Billie's House

Billie lives in a three-story house that she loves. In the beginning, she lives on the second floor while her mother lives on the third and her mother-in-law lives on the first. After her marriage ends, Billie fills the house with anyone who needs a place to stay. By the time Billie is turning 60 years old, the house is somewhat dilapidated. However, Billie and her extended family still love it.

Louise and Leo's House

Louise and Leo live a couple of towns away from Billie in a town called Branford. Their house is on the coast. Billie feels the house is “precariously” located...