Hollywood, California

Hollywood, California is the primary setting for the novel. After Patrick learns that Hollywood producers want to make a film adaptation of his novel Elsinore Lane, Patrick flies out to California to assist with this project. He believes that this venture is not only a validation of his career thus far, but that it will advance his writing career in the future. He even resents his wife for not sharing in his excitement. Throughout his first days in Hollywood, Patrick tries to convince himself that what is happening is really happening, and that it is indeed a good thing.

Despite his attempts at positivity, the Hollywood climate and culture unsettle Patrick. Over the course of the novel, he finds the synthetic and performative atmosphere difficult to relate to. He becomes more and more disoriented. He relies upon his relationship with Cassidy for grounding. Though he tells Alison...