While the city serves as a backdrop for the main character's life and professional life, the town of "East" is where the story's major events unfold. It's a place of secrets, hidden pasts, and complex relationships.
The novel explores the contrast between the vibrant, fast-paced urban life and the quiet, introspective nature of the rural setting. This contrast is crucial to the narrative, reflecting the characters' internal struggles and the search for meaning in their lives.