Crosby, Maine

Crosby, Maine is the primary narrative backdrop for the novel. Crosby is a small town in the northernmost New England state. The town is located near the sea and home to a few local establishments including "a car dealership and a donut shop and a diner" (4). Characters including Bob Burgess, Lucy Barton, and Olive Kitteridge all live in town. Bob and Olive are local Mainers and are initially skeptical when people like Lucy move into Crosby from New York. Over time, however, the characters discover unlikely friendships with one another.

Crosby's quiet, peaceful, and beautiful environmental features grant the characters stability. The town is a quintessential New England town and therefore much less bustling than other urban areas. The characters spend their lives here visiting each others' homes, taking walks, or participating in community events.

New York

New York is another of the novel's primary settings. Both...