The Circle

By: Dave Eggers

Narrated by: Dion Graham

Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2013 Dave Eggers (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A vivid, roaring dissent to the companies that have coaxed us to disgorge every thought and action onto the Web . . . Carries the potential to change how the world views its addicted, compliant thrall to all things digital. If you work in Silicon Valley, or just care about what goes on there, you need to pay attention.” (Dennis K. Berman, The Wall Street Journal)

“The particular charm and power of Eggers’s book . . . could be described as ‘topical’ or ‘timely,’ though those pedestrian words do not nearly capture its imaginative vision . . . Simply a great story, with a fascinating protagonist, sharply drawn supporting characters and an exciting, unpredictable plot . . . As scary as the story’s implications will be to some readers, the reading experience is pure pleasure.” (Hugo Lindgren, The New York Times Magazine)

Information Invasion revealed

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you ever wandered what is the "future" of all the information and social media fuzz is, just listen to the book. There are going to be parts where you even feel anxiety. Is it realistic? Why not?

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Circle?

There are many... and are very well presented... do not want to disclose much to let the reader (or listener) enjoy! :-)

Which character – as performed by Dion Graham – was your favorite?

Definitely Mei

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Probably... at some points L O N G but the mystery and tension is very well maintained.

Any additional comments?

Strongly recommend to calibrate expectations about WHAT is possible with Information Technology

Google-eyed predictability

The story is predictable, the characters are superficial and the morale of the story "ripped from the headlines." If only it had decent sex scenes but even those were disappointing. I like other work by this author but this one was a miss for me. I see they are making it into a movie so my opinion is clearly in the minority.

Worth your time.

A well-written book which provides a window into a possible future of the world, one that most people would not choose to inhabit.

Not a bad book, even if dated.

First, Dion Graham is outstanding. His inflection, change in voice tone, and gravitas made this book better than it was...which was Ok.

A lot of the "me" technology that this books talks about--remember this was 2013--is now part of our lives thanks to facebook, twitter, instagram, and snapchat.

It's R-rated, so expect some racy scenes and regularly harsh language.

I probably would not read it again.

Great book

Great book. Narrator was very good. I'll leave it at that as to not give away anything to future readers...

Great 1984 updated and so close to Silicon Valley in 2017

Great book with intelligent references to Apple Watch, 2nd screen and more :-) as well as Google Plus Circles! and Scientology. Must read.

(Facebook + Google + Twitter + Apple) = The Cicle

This is a very interesting book, about a tech company which would best be described as if Facebook, Google Twitter, and Apple merged into one company, this would be The Circle. Where they control 90% of the market share in everything. With a Steve Jobs as the CEO. Just imagine the power and information all those companies have today, separately. Now imagine them being one company.

The story isn't very action backed, but still interesting. It's like a new Renaissance is occuring web 3.0 where sharing everything and connecting everything together is the new norm, but a select few aren't accepting of this new Renaissance.

terrifying!

nothing like the movie. really great dystopian future (?!) or present... another great Dave eggers.

The Prequel to 1984

the prequel to 1984 if George Orwell had written his novel in 2049. been all around fantastic book with a huge warning for and of the millennial generation.

good book but too long and boring at the end

love the reader but the book is too boring at the end they make it too long for that ending