Meddon blends fictional characters with established historical institutions to ground the emotional narrative in period reality.

: The presence of "reluctant Land Girls" highlights the diverse and often difficult experiences of the Women's Land Army during the mobilization of British agriculture.

: Her journey takes her from the ruined city to the fictitious village of Pippinswell, specifically Fair Maids Farm , where she accepts a position as a housekeeper for a farmer named George.

: The novel depicts the significant power held by the War Agricultural Executive Committees (War Ags), which could evict farmers who were deemed inefficient.