The Lang's House

The Lang's family home is located in Oxfordshire, England, and is one of the novel's primary settings. Though Hal, Betsy, Matthew, Zoe, and Duncan share this common space, they are all often consumed by their individual endeavors. After the children find Karel in the field, the house begins to feel increasingly empty. Hal is spending more and more time at the forge. Betsy is distracted by her legal work and Greek studies. Matthew is secretly chasing Karel's assailant, and Zoe is traveling frequently to Oxford to find a boyfriend. Duncan is often left alone to paint in his room. He tries getting a dog to feel less lonely, but he can still feel his family pulling away from one another. Throughout the novel, the family members reconvene in the house for dinners or group conversations. They also arrange private meetings with one another in their separate...