59 pages • 1 hour read
Dave EggersThe Circle
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Published in 2013, Dave Eggers’ The Circle is a dystopian novel set in the near future, told from the perspective of protagonist Mae Holland, who lands a job at the monopolistic tech company the Circle, led by the Three Wise Men. Mae quickly excels but becomes embroiled in the Circle's ambitions to control the world’s information, which poses significant threats to privacy and autonomy. Sensitive topics include suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Circle by Dave Eggers receives mixed reviews. Praise centers on its timely critique of technology and its impact on privacy, with readers finding the plot provocative and thought-provoking. However, some criticize the character development as thin and the narrative as heavy-handed. Overall, it’s seen as a compelling, if sometimes flawed, social commentary.
Who Should Read The Circle?
Readers who are captivated by the intersection of technology, privacy, and societal control will appreciate The Circle by Dave Eggers. Fans of George Orwell's 1984 and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World will find similar themes of surveillance and dystopian futures compelling. This novel is perfect for those who enjoy thought-provoking and cautionary tales.