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)

Brave New World but better!

The narrator really brought the characters to life. Hard to imagine a man reading the role of a female, but he nailed it. All of it.

The story: thought provoking. Very much like the brave New World did.

I think this would have been more effective with a female narrator

Considering the majority of dialogue came from the female protagonist, I thought the use of a male narrator did the book a disservice.

Some of the character setup felt a bit like bad television, and I had to fight back a little bit of annoyance that the metrics they are obsessed with don't demonstrate the negative impacts distraction had on at work productivity, but I finished it in 2 days so it caught my interest.

I was expecting the story to play out more like fountainhead, so I think I was disappointed not to see a more substantial representation of their opposition. I don't even think anyone thought to say hey guys your spy cameras are super illegal.

Still, I am obsessed with books that portray a near future with rich detail about the way technology advances, even in cases like this where it is a particularly near term projection. It is incredibly difficult to do, and it was done really well hear.

So overall I'd say it was fine. 100 percent.

(You'll get that later)

Only dead fish go with the flow.

Where does The Circle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Upper 25%.

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

Too many to mention or decide on.

What does Dion Graham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Puts life into the characters. The story feels like it could happen,

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It justified my fears of giving too much information away in social media of today. While it sounds good and nice, there is a big downside.

Any additional comments?

It was entertaining, but I could see Mae giving her life and freedoms away in order to be told what to do. Sad world, but still entertaining read. Looking forward to the movie.

The Circle

Dystopian fiction. interesting read with an interesting projection for the future and use of social media

Great premise

I love the concept Eggers was trying to address about the preponderance and insidiousness of the growing reach of technology in our lives. But the story dragged on and the conclusion was less than satisfying.

Worth the read (or listen)

The story, and the themes it explores, makes this novel worth it. The writing left me a bit unsatisfied at times. The recording was good, even though at times the character's voice slipped into the narration, which is third person. It was odd to hear the main character talking about herself.

Important, thought provoking and scary

Where does The Circle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

There have been books that I enjoyed more... but not many that were as though-provoking and none so far that have inspired me to action. As a result of this book, I have decided to learn as much as I can about the right to privacy - and to make this one of my legal specialties. People think that if they have nothing to hide, then they have nothing to fear from sharing all of their information. Well that is simply no so - and that is what I want to write about in my legal blog.

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

I can't really say, without spoiling this book for others - but let me just say that there is a scene in which May's parents right to privacy is sacrified in the most cruel way, and dealt with by May, the protagonist, so briefly, that you suddenly realize that she has lost her basic sense of right and wrong, empathy, and all the qualities that make one human.

What about Dion Graham’s performance did you like?

It kept me listening even when the book became a little long and predictable.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

This is what could happen, if corporate America takes over.... and sadly we are closer than ever.

Any additional comments?

I was disppointed with the ending - but I guess I had no right to be, as it is probably as realistic an ending as can be expected.

The reason I gave this book 4 (and not 5) is because I found it a bit long and repetitive.

Zero Resolve

Superb performance, but this story ends at its climax. I actually listened to the end twice because I was so confused why the author would end so suddenly. One of my least favorite purchases on audible.

A gripping story with a slightly questionable end

I am not sure what I should have expected from
The ending but the entire book was gripping and I couldn't put it down. The idea of such a company isn't perhaps the most innovative but that's exactly why it is so relatable and why it is poses such deep questions about society today and our relationship with data privacy and governments and the self-centered obsession for approval from others.

Eggers tells a brilliant, prophetic tale

Great story. The dialogue helps you understand the unique philosophy driving the plot.

Eggers clearly has some way of seeing the future because so much of The Circle has come to fruition with recent announcements about Google (the Alphabet) and Amazon's "severe" culture.

Definitely a must-read. A cautionary tale for all us to consider before it's too late.