Scan barcode
margotsands's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts
nstew16's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is exactly the kind of sequel readers should expect from The Circle. It was everything it needed to be.
Part of the brilliance of this concept is that readers can admire exactly how this economic model is ideal for sustainable living and being mindful of the global consumption issues while also reminding us of the problematic nature it poses when presented as a large scale monopoly that eliminates much of what makes us human. It is a very interesting idea to wrestle with.
My only negative comment is that the references to pop culture are a little bit distracting from the era Delaney is experiencing.
Part of the brilliance of this concept is that readers can admire exactly how this economic model is ideal for sustainable living and being mindful of the global consumption issues while also reminding us of the problematic nature it poses when presented as a large scale monopoly that eliminates much of what makes us human. It is a very interesting idea to wrestle with.
My only negative comment is that the references to pop culture are a little bit distracting from the era Delaney is experiencing.
The first few were cute and did work the way they were meant to, which is in establishing a timeline, but after a while they seem derived and not well thought out in relation to the narrative. Comparing the already established timeline to one that is not longer relevant.
I think by trying to establish his world's credibility and relevance to modern time, Eggers actually ends up dating his ideas and opinions and reminding the reader of his presence in the narrative. I wish he had spent more time giving himself credit for new ideas and establishing his world's own pop culture than making convenient nods to a world that has long since become irrelevant by the time The Every has been established as an absolute force. Luckily, the cheap references stopped about midway through the book to focus on the plot.
A few authors/books that The Every reminded me of were:
- Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Robin Sloan (also set in San Francisco and published one year before The Circle)
- George Orwell
- Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
- Cat's Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut (the satire is quite similar)
The ending itself, though predictable and unsettling, is exactly as I believe it needed to be. Well done, Dave Eggers.
A few authors/books that The Every reminded me of were:
- Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Robin Sloan (also set in San Francisco and published one year before The Circle)
- George Orwell
- Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
- Cat's Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut (the satire is quite similar)
Bold
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
Minor: Animal death, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
More...