Summary
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,...
(This entire section contains 855 words.)
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highlighting a theme of blind consumption.
A Heavy-Handed Message
The novel's message is powerful yet sometimes blunt. Characters like Mercer and Kalden often serve as mouthpieces for Eggers's critique of technology's pervasive influence. Though some metaphors, such as predatory sea creatures, are overt, Eggers excels in crafting an engrossing story, albeit occasionally at the expense of subtlety.
A Modern Cautionary Tale
Echoing Orwell, The Circle is a timely exploration of society's trajectory. Mae represents an everywoman, embodying the ambitions and vulnerabilities of modern life. While relatable, Mae lacks the compelling drive seen in characters like Winston Smith, leading to a more muted emotional impact as she remains compliant in the face of mounting warnings.
A Subtle Warning
Mae's passive acceptance, and the Circle's seemingly benign control, may reflect Eggers's view that humanity's future is shaped less by overt oppression and more by subtle manipulation. Unlike Orwell's overtly tyrannical regime, the Circle's founders appear to believe in their mission, suggesting a cautionary tale where society's greatest threat lies in its own complacency.
Review Sources
- Atwood, Margaret. "When Privacy Is Theft." Rev. of The Circle, by Dave Eggers. New York Review of Books. NYREV, 21 Nov. 2013. Web. 9 Jan. 2014.
- Charles, Ron. "Dave Eggers's 'The Circle' Is a Relentless Broadside against Social Media Overload." Washington Post. Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.
- Kakutani, Michiko. "Inside the World of Big Data." Rev. of The Circle, by Dave Eggers. New York Times. New York Times, 3 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.
- Kellogg, Carolyn. "Trapped in the Web with Dave Eggers' 'The Circle.'" Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.