I was thrilled about reading The Circle after reading its synopsis, which, by the way, did NOT prepare me for what this novel was really about!
In this novel, The Circle is the mother of all Internet companies, just like Google. I’m sure Google was a major inspiration for Dave Eggers.
Twenty-something Mae Holland is fresh out of college and needs a job. Her best friend Annie helps her secure a position as a “Customer Experience” rep at The Circle. The role requires her to support advertisers who use The Circle to market their brands. As weeks go by, Mae eventually buys into The Circle’s mission of obtaining everyone’s personal information so it can be made transparent for all to see.
For fear of being canned from The Circle (or maybe because she’s a follower and highly impressionable, and can’t make logical decisions on her own), Mae turns on her family and friends to support The Circle’s end game. She spends her spare time on the Internet “liking” and “smiling” social media posts, and sends basic replies to strangers with whom she feels she’s made a connection. In reality, Mae lacks a connection with anyone, with the exception of a mysterious man named Kalden who magically appears and disappears at campus, managing to steal Mae’s heart in the process.
After many trials and tribulations, and having finally made her way to the top of The Circle’s food chain, Mae is forced to make one big final decision that could severely impact the country’s democracy.
The Circle reminded me a bit of Black Mirror. Some concepts reminded me of George Orwell’s 1984. Everybody’s watching, all the time!
Mae’s character is totally pathetic, and her character lacks self-esteem and confidence. I felt embarrassed for her, especially during the parts she squirmed in front of peers and co-workers when asked to do certain things. I found myself shaking my head and doing the face-in-palm thing several times while reading this book.
I actually really loved The Circle. I loved everything it stood for. I loved how Eggers turned the concept of social media and the Internet “running the world” into dark comedy. I loved how it poked fun at people who are constantly glued to their phones, and who are obsessed with chronicling every moment of their lives on social media.
The Circle was made into a Netflix film starring Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. Eggers released a sequel to The Circle called The Every in 2021.
Other books by Dave Eggers include:
- The Eyes & the Impossible (2023)
- The Eyes, The Fire, and the Avalanche Kingdom (2025)
- Heroes of the Frontier (2016)
- The Lifters (2018)
- The Parade (2019)
Have you read any other books by this author, and if so, what did you think?
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 by Sarah Ann
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