Brick Lane is a street in the East End of London leading from Bethnal Green towards Whitechapel, and today is the heart of London’s Bangladeshi community. It is known for its many curry houses, vintage shops, and international food.
Brick Lane has a long history of being home to immigrants from around the world. In the 19th and into the 20th century , the area was populated by the Irish and Ashkenazi Jews. In the later 20th century, Bangladeshi Bengalis from Sylhet comprised the majority of the population.
In Brick Lane, it is near the home of Nanzeen and Chanu, where they have lived for decades.
“She ran again and turned into a side street, then off again to the right onto Brick Lane.” (Chapter 3)
“The car went over and suddenly a noise licked around Brick Lane like a flame, crackling from every corner” (Chapter 21).
