Auburn University selects Dave Eggers’ ‘The Circle’ for 2017-18 Common Book
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"The Circle" is the first work of fiction selected for the Common Book: One Book One Auburn program since its inception in the fall of 2010. Author Dave Eggers will be on the Auburn University campus Sept. 12-13 to speak about the international bestseller and his experiences.
Protagonist Mae Holland is granted the opportunity to work for the Circle, a powerful Internet company which uses social media and technological innovations to constantly be connected to its users. The story investigates themes of privacy, democracy and connectivity in the digital age.
"The Circle" has been compared to George Orwell's "1984" and Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World." Reviewers' comments about the book include those of Lev Grossman of Time: "Big Brother is still haunting us"; Michiko Kakutani, of the The New York Times: Eggers shows us a world "in which privacy is obsolete"; and Karen Valby of Entertainment Weekly: the "encroaching tentacles of the world's most powerful Internet company demands your thoughtful and committed attention."
"You may find yourself so engrossed in Dave Eggers's futuristic novel, 'The Circle,' that you forget about Facebook entirely. And by the last pages, you may think twice before logging on again," said John Freeman in O, The Oprah Magazine.
During fall semester, the various themes presented in this year's Common Book: One Book One Auburn selection will be explored in courses, lectures, film screenings, service projects, exhibitions, public discussions and other programs. The Auburn community is encouraged to participate in programming on Auburn University's campus and at the Auburn Public Library.
The Common Book: One Book One Auburn program is an initiative of the Office of Undergraduate Studies in partnership with the Auburn Public Library. By creating a shared reading experience for students, faculty, staff and the wider Auburn community, Common Book: One Book One Auburn seeks to provide insight into the human condition while developing lifelong habits of intellectual curiosity and engagement.
Common Book: One Book One Auburn
Updated information is also available via the Common Book: One Book One Auburn program's social media pages.
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Media interested in this story can contact Communications Director Preston Sparks at (334) 844-9999 or preston.sparks@auburn.edu.
Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.