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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
12/10, horrifying. I deeply regret reading this at this time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Death
This is a terrible book. You should read it. To understand why, go here: posted:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/770882009?book_show_action=true
some really heavy handed symbolism towards the end, but super engaging fiction
This book was positively terrifying, and I certainly feel like we could be heading down this road.
Competent but not groundbreaking, The Circle presents a chilling view of a possible future where unchecked growth of social media leads to the elimination of privacy and consent cheered on by the masses eager for perpeutal validation and unlimited access to knowledge. A breezy read that leaves one disturbed by the very real possiblity that a version of this world is likely our future. You've likely read better and more nuanced takes on these issues, but for those that haven't, it's worth checking out. Apparently there is a movie starring Emma Warson and Tom Hanks which appears completely skippable.
3.5/5
Urgh. I was almost 80% of the time frustrated at the main character, Mae, all the way through the book. Then why a 3.5? Fortunately, the theme was what got me interested in this book.
What I liked:
- The whole book revolves around the integration and use of technology, namely social media, in the modern community. Mae got a chance to work at the largest company in the world, The Circle, and what they focus on is being connected to everything and everywhere online. Everyone was on their phones or other devices 24/7, and you would be viewed as an outcast or an anomaly if you don't share every single moment and if you don't post a new status or thought every hour. Well, I hated that the community was so based on social media, but I thoroughly enjoyed thinking about how this world is eerily similar to the current modern world that we live in. Some people were online pretty much every single minute, and there are indeed some downsides to it. I do hope we won't develop into a world like the one described in The Circle.
- Much parts of the book showed that The Circle dominated the world and is very powerful. In this world where you cannot have privacy, what and how can you change the behavior of the society? This was an interesting sub-plot to read about.
- There was, thank god, a sensible and not brainwashed character whom I loved. Mercer. He's very amazing in how he still stays clear of being overconnected and still tries to help to get some sense into Mae.
What I hated:
- WHY IS THERE SO MUCH BORING NUMBERS AND DESCRIPTION OF MAE'S BORING WORK? Half of the book is like that I was so boreddddddd.
- WHY is everyone so brainwashed and stupid?!!!! Urgh
-Psht, the romance line? Was there even a romance subplot? *shudders*
- "Transparency is good" "We need to know everything"... Okay I'm already pissed
- I can't anymore
I'm still giving this 3.5 just because I really liked Mercer and it really made me reflect on my own actions of the use of social media.
I do recommend this to those who are interested in the use of social media in a dystopian society.
Urgh. I was almost 80% of the time frustrated at the main character, Mae, all the way through the book. Then why a 3.5? Fortunately, the theme was what got me interested in this book.
What I liked:
- The whole book revolves around the integration and use of technology, namely social media, in the modern community. Mae got a chance to work at the largest company in the world, The Circle, and what they focus on is being connected to everything and everywhere online. Everyone was on their phones or other devices 24/7, and you would be viewed as an outcast or an anomaly if you don't share every single moment and if you don't post a new status or thought every hour. Well, I hated that the community was so based on social media, but I thoroughly enjoyed thinking about how this world is eerily similar to the current modern world that we live in. Some people were online pretty much every single minute, and there are indeed some downsides to it. I do hope we won't develop into a world like the one described in The Circle.
- Much parts of the book showed that The Circle dominated the world and is very powerful. In this world where you cannot have privacy, what and how can you change the behavior of the society? This was an interesting sub-plot to read about.
- There was, thank god, a sensible and not brainwashed character whom I loved. Mercer. He's very amazing in how he still stays clear of being overconnected and still tries to help to get some sense into Mae.
Spoiler
I'm still sad that this dude diedWhat I hated:
- WHY IS THERE SO MUCH BORING NUMBERS AND DESCRIPTION OF MAE'S BORING WORK? Half of the book is like that I was so boreddddddd.
- WHY is everyone so brainwashed and stupid?!!!! Urgh
-Psht, the romance line? Was there even a romance subplot? *shudders*
- "Transparency is good" "We need to know everything"... Okay I'm already pissed
- I can't anymore
I'm still giving this 3.5 just because I really liked Mercer and it really made me reflect on my own actions of the use of social media.
I do recommend this to those who are interested in the use of social media in a dystopian society.
This book presents the dark aspects of nowadays internet society in a light light, and it really resounded with me.
I found it difficult to pick it up as it made me in a bad mood, but the times I did read it, I read large chuncks. I believe it would give many the awareness of what they are doing on line.
However, the main character was the most unlikeable ever, perhaps it was done on purpose, as she represents the average internet user, but she really irked me a lot
I found it difficult to pick it up as it made me in a bad mood, but the times I did read it, I read large chuncks. I believe it would give many the awareness of what they are doing on line.
However, the main character was the most unlikeable ever, perhaps it was done on purpose, as she represents the average internet user, but she really irked me a lot
A Brave New World for this generation, a good story but some lack of depth on the characters and their motivations which could have been explored more. Let down by historical inaccuracies.
I wanted to like this, it seemingly ticked all the right dystopia boxes. The overall concept of the all encompassing private takeover by the circle was too ham fisted, too quick, too convenient a central plot point to believe. Corporate characters followed the same staunch blandness that blended all together, with a late character twist immediately obvious. A missed opportunity for a real discord on digital privacy. Instead we follow Mae, a lemming, as she wonders off the all too obvious cliff.
I kept reading waiting for the book to get better and tell me something interesting, but that never happened. Ambitious project, but it fell short.