The Circle
By Dave Eggers
- Release Date: 2013-10-08
- Genre: Literary Fiction
Description
INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • A bestselling dystopian novel that tackles surveillance, privacy and the frightening intrusions of technology in our lives—a “compulsively readable parable for the 21st century” (Vanity Fair).
When Mae Holland is hired to work for the Circle, the world’s most powerful internet company, she feels she’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime. The Circle, run out of a sprawling California campus, links users’ personal emails, social media, banking, and purchasing with their universal operating system, resulting in one online identity and a new age of civility and transparency.
As Mae tours the open-plan office spaces, the towering glass dining facilities, the cozy dorms for those who spend nights at work, she is thrilled with the company’s modernity and activity. There are parties that last through the night, there are famous musicians playing on the lawn, there are athletic activities and clubs and brunches, and even an aquarium of rare fish retrieved from the Marianas Trench by the CEO.
Mae can’t believe her luck, her great fortune to work for the most influential company in the world—even as life beyond the campus grows distant, even as a strange encounter with a colleague leaves her shaken, even as her role at the Circle becomes increasingly public.
What begins as the captivating story of one woman’s ambition and idealism soon becomes a heart-racing novel of suspense, raising questions about memory, history, privacy, democracy, and the limits of human knowledge.
Reviews
Great book
5By Ygeejayeverything that happened seem very plausible.Mediocre
3By JSDeLonIt was fine. The book is based on a series of increasingly unbelievable premises about how people would act and react to interconnectivity that I just couldn’t get past. People would not overwhelmingly line up to be part of The Circle. Also, the protagonist isn’t terribly compelling.Kept reading but shouldn't have
2By teeheebabeHonestly the concept of this book is drew me in but the main character is why I kept reading. The whole time I wanted the main character to prove herself a rebel but instead she was a pawn and frustratingly so. The ending is infuriating not to mention the seemingly random partners she has. There is little conversation between them before she ends up in promiscuous situations with them. Another male author seemingly unaware of how romance or even foreplay works. It's dangerous to think that human interaction works like this. I will say that I definitely will be thinking about this book a lot and what the overall message was very relatable to social media and technology now. Overall, wouldn't recommend the frustration and weird random relationships.Fun dystopian Silicon Valley adventure.
4By filmguyryanAs a Silicon Valley employee at one of the major tech companies that this novel was clearly based on, this fantastical premise hits pretty close to home... but in a fun way. Technology ethics in our society are even more relevant today than when this book was published. The story gets a bit bogged down in the procedural details at times, but quickly redirects to fast paced scenes that unravel quickly.Don’t read
1By kristinasunflowerHorrible writing, don’t waste your time.Just Awful Writing
1By BelliemayConcept: interesting. The rest of it? Couldn't even finish it. Wouldn't mind a refund. The characters are sophomoric, uninteresting. The movie didn't last long in my neck of the woods and I'm not surprised. Don't waste your money on this one. A real snore.Thought provoking and scary.
5By H3@th312This all seemed as if it could actually happen in the future. I now worry for my nonexistent grandkids.Anticlimactic
1By Odie092It's a frustrating read because the core storyline has such potential. Delving into how technology has evolved and posing the question of "is technology going too far" is a promising theme, however this book hardly scratches the surface. Instead, the storyline focuses on 1 dimensional characters and their experiences. It's a huge let down.It just ended...
2By Lost boardsGreat concept. The sexual scenes are unnecessary and no intelligent person could be as shallow or ignorant as Mae was. I hope the movie brings the book to completion because it just ended with no solution. I mean seriously, I searched for more pages or a sequel with no avail.Thought provoking idea adequately rendered
3By cvonlineI found the concept thought provoking. It was adequately rendered.
