Where Is 'The Book Of Unknown Americans' Set?

The setting of 'The Book of Unknown Americans' is a small apartment complex in Delaware, specifically in a working-class neighborhood. It's a place where immigrants from various Latin American countries come together, each carrying their own hopes and struggles. The author paints this location as a microcosm of the immigrant experience in America, filled with both camaraderie and tension. The building itself feels almost like a character, witnessing the lives of its residents as they navigate language barriers, cultural clashes, and the pursuit of the American dream. The Delaware setting is crucial because it represents neither a huge metropolis nor a rural area, but that in-between space where ordinary lives unfold.

'The Book of Unknown Americans' unfolds in Delaware, but not the glamorous parts you see in postcards. It's set in a modest apartment complex that becomes a temporary home for immigrants from Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, and other Latin American countries. The choice of Delaware is interesting because it's not typically the first place you think of when discussing immigrant communities, which makes the story feel more authentic.

The building serves as a melting pot where cultures collide and blend. Residents share cramped hallways, overhear each other's arguments, and celebrate small victories together. The setting reflects the characters' limbo state—they're physically in America but psychologically straddling two worlds. The nearby Rust Belt landscapes mirror their struggles, with abandoned factories symbolizing broken dreams yet also hinting at potential rebirth.

What's powerful about this setting is how it contrasts with the characters' homelands. The harsh winters become metaphors for cultural shock, while the cramped apartments force interactions that wouldn't happen back home. The author uses specific Delaware landmarks sparingly but effectively, like the supermarket where characters navigate unfamiliar brands or the school where their children face bullying. These locations ground the magical realism elements in tangible reality.

Cristina Henríquez chose Delaware as the backdrop for 'The Book of Unknown Americans', specifically a rundown apartment building that becomes a sanctuary for immigrants. What's fascinating is how she turns this ordinary location into a stage for extraordinary human dramas. The setting isn't just geographical—it's emotional terrain where characters grapple with belonging.

The Delaware location matters because it's unexceptional, which makes the characters' experiences universal. The apartment complex's thin walls mean private tragedies become communal knowledge. A Mexican family's kitchen smells of cumin, while a Puerto Rican neighbor blasts salsa music, creating sensory borders. The local school becomes a battleground for cultural assimilation, and the nearby convenience store transforms into a place where broken English suffices.

Henríquez uses the setting to explore how place shapes identity. The Riveras view Delaware through the lens of their daughter's recovery, while the Toros see it as temporary. The changing seasons mark time differently for each family—some count winters survived, others measure summers until they can return home. This nuanced portrayal makes Delaware feel alive, flawed, and deeply human.