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| Image Via Chapters Indigo |
Book: The Circle
Author: Dave Eggers
Indigo Summary:
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.
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.
What I have to say:
This book reminded me a lot of 1984 by George Orwell, but set in the digital age. The Circle as a company reminded me a lot of Facebook and Google, which makes me wonder how close are we to be living in the society/lifestyle/etc that is portrayed in this book. There are no chapters in this book, which I personally didn't like, but I did enjoy the book. Mae is a bit two-dimensional, but I think that goes to show how much of a follower she is, willing to buy into whatever The Circle is telling her, not to question anything. I would hardly describe this book "a heart-racing novel of suspense", but it was still a good, interesting read.
This book reminded me a lot of 1984 by George Orwell, but set in the digital age. The Circle as a company reminded me a lot of Facebook and Google, which makes me wonder how close are we to be living in the society/lifestyle/etc that is portrayed in this book. There are no chapters in this book, which I personally didn't like, but I did enjoy the book. Mae is a bit two-dimensional, but I think that goes to show how much of a follower she is, willing to buy into whatever The Circle is telling her, not to question anything. I would hardly describe this book "a heart-racing novel of suspense", but it was still a good, interesting read.
Final verdict:
I recommend it! I have already lent my copy of this book to my sister. This was the November pick for my book club, and we all enjoyed it. As stated above, essentially 1984 for the digital age.
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