The Swimming Pavilion (1976–2004)

The Swimming Pavilion is Ingrid's, Gil's, Nan's, and Flora’s home in Spanish Green. Gil inherits the Swimming Pavilion from his father after he dies of cancer. The Swimming Pavilion is filled with books and smells of them, damp in the bathroom, and fried eggs. Gil and Jonathan host parties and wandering guests at the Swimming Pavilion regularly. Nan and Ingrid are born and raised in the Swimming Pavilion. Gil dies in the Swimming Pavilion, burning it and all his books to the ground.

Spanish Green (1976–2004)

Most of the novel’s action occurs in Spanish Green, a Hampshire hamlet. Spanish Green is a real place comprised of a few homes scattered along the Atlantic Ocean. Ingrid and Gil fall in love in there. Gil is raised in Spanish Green and he and Ingrid raise Nan and Flora there as well. Ingrid spends nearly her entire adult...