We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(4) Tree Line
The only thing likely to make you break into a sweat as you read The Circle is its length. Weighing in at just under 500 pages, the novel isn't the kind of thing that most readers will be able to polish off in an evening. This ain't no short-and-sweet McSweeney's story—you're going to have to block off more than a few hours for this one.
But never fear, Shmoopers—whatever its length, The Circle is also fast-paced, accessible, and ultra contemporary. As you read the dialogue between the novel's various 20-somethings, you may even find that its language is a pretty good mirror of the ways that you talk with your friends every day. And let's not forget how much of the novel transcribes texts, instant messages, and "zings":
When she got back to her desk, there were eleven messages from Annie.
She read the first: Hey Mae, realizing I shouldn't have gone off on Dan and Alistair that way. Wasn't very nice. Not Circly at all. Pretend I didn't say it.
The second: You get my last msg?
The third: Starting to freak out a little. Why aren't you answering me?
Fourth: Just texted you, called you. Are you dead? S***. Forgot you forgot your phone. You suck. (1.15.63-67)
Any of this ringing any bells?
So strap yourselves in for the long ride, Shmoopers, but we promise it'll fly by faster than you think.