* Memories are implanted and erased by the government: The government controls what people remember, erasing any memories that might threaten its authority and implanting false memories to maintain control.
* People live in fear of their memories: The fear of having memories erased or being caught with forbidden memories is a constant threat.
* The world is divided into two distinct groups: There are the "rememberers" who have escaped the government's control and the "forgetters" who are still subject to it.
* The setting is not explicitly defined: While specific details are not revealed, it's implied that the story takes place in a technologically advanced society with advanced memory manipulation techniques.
The novel's setting is crucial to the plot, as it creates a sense of tension, paranoia, and uncertainty. The protagonist, Jack, must navigate this treacherous world, trying to uncover the truth about his past while constantly fearing for his memories.