I was not impressed with The Circle by Dave Eggers, a dystopian novel warning of the slippery slope of voluntary corporate surveillance. Although the author didn't call the fictional company in the novel "Facegoogle", it's pretty obvious which companies readers are meant to associate with "The Circle". To be honest, I only read this as a book club pick and would not have chosen it on my own as the description did not interest me in the least. I went into it thinking I was not going to like it at all, but I was ultimately intrigued by the ideas and themes of the book. However, there were definitely some (big) issues with the plot, the tone of the writing was meh, and the character development was pretty awful. It had the potential to be so much better. It was actually an interesting premise but the execution here was so very flawed. If you would like a more detailed review of why I didn't like this book read this one by Goodreads user Brad. Seriously, it's like he was in my head.

Share/Like this Review?

The dystopian/utopian horrible hybrid I wish I had never wanted to read. I actually listened to it, and I regret the hours of my life I spent hoping May (Mae? Side effect of listening, instead of reading, I have no idea how the main character's name is spelled) would get some common sense in that idealistic head of hers.

Imagine a future where we can know everything about everybody. Pros--no more crime because we can see it before it happens, no more criminals because we systematically hunt them down and turn them over to the authorities. Cons--in the hands of the wrong leader, this can turn into a totalitarian regime. Our main girl May can stop it if she wants to.

A look at the possible consequences of technology. Or the possible benefits. Depends on how you look at it.

I hated it. The only bright side is that I listened to it instead of reading it, thus investing slightly less of my life in this vision.

But the writing was superb, and the vision was flawless. My compliments to Eggers.

Share/Like this Review?

This was a gripping book in some ways, as I was certain it was not going to have a happy ending. It foretells a world we seem to be headed to, and I expect it will become the same sort of classic that the book "1984" by George Orwell became, a story which foretells a world of complete totalitarianism and mass surveillance. But this was different, in that it took the pervasiveness of the internet to accomplish its goals. The dialogue was sometimes exhausting, reading about what the protagonist was expected to do. Yet I couldn't stop reading it, but was glad when it was over. I don't want to live in a world like that and hope we never do.

Share/Like this Review?

The premise is interesting, and the book stays with you long after the last page. I wish this book had chapters it bugged me that there was never a clear place to start and stop.

Share/Like this Review?