I had never read it I see that is Salem spelled backward-salem oregon? I appreciate teh allegory but felt manipulated by the premise. That somehow the only way to experience a utopic happiness would necessarily mean it would be to the cost of someone-even if it just was one. so while it's lushly described initially, it doesn't have a plotand one is trying to ground themselves wondering where people who leave will go. In fact, I think it was intended by the author to be floating, groundless with no explanation.