1. Discuss the setting

[Kristel]

What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?

[Lynn]

The setting was skillfully crafted. The home of his mom was infrequently mentioned. Though that may have served as an anchor or base. The psychiatric facility crafted as a care center is central to the story as is the make-believe world the characters create at work.

[[deleted user]]

I like Lynn's answer I think my favourite setting was Denny's vacant lot and the potential it had to be anything they wanted.

[Pip]

I thought that the book was set in the recent past in a large American city, although I don't think that this was specifically described. The incident with his mother stopping the car on a freeway would have to be in the States, I think! The recreation of an eighteenth century village made me think it was East Coast, but everything else had me place it in LA.

[Jen]

I read this right after I had visited Sturbridge Village (a recreation of old village). I live in Massachusetts and we have two: Sturbridge village and Plymouth plantation (17th century). And Salem which isn't really a recreation.

Anyway, that particular setting made me laugh because I could picture everything since we have been to all three locations near us. I agree with Pip. It was set in recent past near a US city and likely East Coast. However, Palahniuk grew up on the West Coast (washington and Oregon) and in my book he discussed how he was inspired in part by the murder of his father and his father's sexual compulsions. So perhaps it's a mix of places and locations.