The book is set in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a period marked by economic hardship and political turmoil in the U.S., which heavily influences the characters' experiences and choices.
Here's a breakdown of the specific settings:
* New York City: The story primarily unfolds in the city, with scenes taking place in various neighborhoods like Lower Manhattan, Greenwich Village, and the East Village.
* Upstate New York: The characters also travel to rural upstate New York, where they encounter a different kind of environment and people.
* Mexico: There are significant flashbacks to Mexico, where the protagonist's parents come from and where he spent his childhood.
The author uses these settings to explore themes of identity, immigration, class, and the search for belonging in a changing society.