Dublin, 1918

The entirety of the novel takes place in Dublin, Ireland in the late fall of 1918. Donoghue portrays Dublin as a city ravaged by war and disease, much of the population dead or dying. Many stores and establishments are closed, and war shrines line the streets.

The Hospital

The hospital is an unnamed hospital in Dublin where Julia works, and most of the novel takes place. The hospital is extremely crowded and very low on resources and staff. The food is adultered, and the lights routinely dim due to conservation of electricity. Nurses work 12 hours shifts with no breaks, and very little aid. It is under these conditions that Julia must lead the maternity/fever ward alone, as she has never done before, in the novel. Most of the nurses are Catholic nuns and all the doctors are men before Dr. Lynn is brought on.

Maternity/Fever Ward

This...