Author: Dave Eggers (b. 1970)

Publisher: Alfred K. Knopf (New York). 504 pp.

Type of work: Novel

Time: Near future

Locale: California

Mae Holland, a promising recent college graduate, embarks on a career at the Circle, a dominating social media enterprise. Her rapid ascent comes at a chilling cost.

A World Dominated by Technology

Dave Eggers's novel, The Circle, imagines a future dominated not by governments, but by a colossal social media corporation. Drawing parallels with George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, where "Big Brother" maintains a watchful eye, Eggers presents a narrative where the seemingly benevolent Circle holds sway over society. Within this world, the Circle has absorbed the likes of Google, Facebook, and Twitter, monopolizing web searches and social media interactions worldwide. Users are compelled to have comprehensive Circle accounts, and the company's aim is to "close the circle"—symbolized by its logo of a C encircled by interwoven loops.

Mae's Entry into the Circle

As the story unfolds, Mae Holland secures a position in Customer Experience at the Circle, thanks to Annie, her well-connected college friend. Mae is thrilled to leave behind her mundane job and is eager to embrace the vibrant culture and luxurious amenities of the company's expansive campus. Initial anxieties melt away as she gains the admiration of her colleagues, thanks in part to Annie's influence. Mae quickly acclimates, captivated by the campus's state-of-the-art facilities and elite social gatherings, where she encounters Francis and Kalden, intriguing yet contrasting figures.

Rising Within the Ranks

Mae shines in her role, setting new standards for customer satisfaction and earning accolades company-wide. Her rise is marked by a keen understanding of the interconnectedness within the Circle's ecosystem, illustrated by an inadvertent social faux pas. Determined to boost her PartiRank—a metric evaluating her social engagement—Mae immerses herself in the digital life of the company, steadily climbing the corporate ladder.

The Strains of Success

Despite her professional triumphs, Mae juggles personal challenges, particularly concerning her family. Her father's battle with multiple sclerosis intensifies the burden on her mother, creating a dilemma as Mae's obligation to maintain her social standing clashes with her family duties. Visits home are further strained by encounters with Mercer, her high school boyfriend, who resists Mae's attempts to integrate his business with the digital world, growing frustrated with her constant connectivity. Nonetheless, Mae finds solace in securing superior healthcare for her father through the Circle's resources.

Personal Escapes

Amid her demanding life, Mae seeks refuge in kayaking and her interactions with Francis and Kalden. While Francis's groundbreaking technology for child safety fascinates Mae, his insistence on documenting everything unnerves her. Kalden, on the other hand, is an enigma, drawing Mae into the Circle's secretive depths, stirring both curiosity and concern among her peers. Despite warnings from friends, Mae is swept up in her clandestine romance with him, choosing to conceal the truth from Annie.

A Turning Point on the Water

Mae's pivotal moment comes unexpectedly through her love of kayaking. In a spontaneous act, she takes a kayak for a solitary night adventure, finding temporary freedom from her encumbered life. However, this escapade is captured by the Circle's omnipresent surveillance, leading to a pivotal meeting with one of the company founders, Eamon Bailey, which alters Mae's trajectory.

Reflections on Technology

Eggers crafts a narrative that pulls readers in with its fast-paced, futuristic plot. While the lack of detailed technology explanations may frustrate some, it underscores a broader commentary on society's uncritical embrace of technological advances. The absence of engineers and developers on campus reflects a detachment from the mechanisms behind the technology,...