The protagonist is a Chinese American young woman living in Atlanta, Georgia in 1890. Throughout the book, many characters, strangers and acquaintances alike, sexualize and fetishize her. There is passing mention of Chinese men paying for mail order brides that are younger than the protagonist (i.e. younger than 17). While the protagonist and a male character are walking together, a stranger addresses the latter, saying, "enjoy that fine piece of arse." An antagonist character attempts to intimidate the protagonist by having her meet him in a brothel while he is taking a bath. Towards the beginning of the book, there is discussion of a news story about the "rabid eyes rapist," a Chinese man who was accused of raping a white woman. We later find out that this was a false accusation.