Russia

This is the novel's primary, broad-strokes setting - the country of Russia (or "Rus" as it is referred to in the text), centuries before the revolution in the early 1900's that transformed it from a monarchy, or kingdom, into a communist stronghold. The country's climate - generally cold, wintry, and unwelcoming - plays an important role in defining much of the book's narrative context: things happen the way they do, and mean what they mean, because of the un-hospitable environment.

Lesnaya Zemlya

This is the area in Northern Russia in which much of the novel's action is set - specifically, the village, farm, and woodlands governed by landowner Pyotr Vladimirovich, father of protagonist Vasya. Isolated and somewhat under-civilized, the area's connection and proximity to more natural, unspoiled countryside is perhaps a key reason why the presence and influence of nature spirits are so powerful.

The Estate

Much of...