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mynightsbooked 's review for:
The Compound
by Aisling Rawle
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Compound is marketed as a fictional reality tv show that is a cross between Love Island and Lord of the Flies. When I read that blurb, I knew I needed to read this book!
As a fan of reality tv, I loved that aspect of the book. Almost like ‘big brother’ is watching when the characters reference the producers. The story takes place in a large house in the middle of a desolate area, with brush fires outside the grounds, but the house seemingly nestled away from danger. Or so it seems. The contestants compete for luxury items like champagne and designer clothing, while also competing for necessities like food and water. The goal is to be the last person in the house, while also coupling up. As the show progresses, the tasks get more aggressive and the contestants get more desperate, forgetting that their entire world is completely orchestrated.
I was drawn into this book immediately and loved how it progressed from morally questionable tasks to outright insane ones, with the characters getting increasingly desperate and gradually normalized to heinous behavior. The story was a competition reality tv show but the subtext of the plot was our world’s addiction to consumerism and the escapism and schadenfreude that comes with reality tv.
Man oh man, there is so much to unpack with this book. It would make for fascinating conversation as a book club choice. It sure made me think and reflect on my feelings and actions on materialism, vanity, etc. as well as the aspect of being aware of what is happening in the world outside your four walls. Much of the book referenced the ‘outside world’ as being dystopian-esque, but really, it’s not hard to put ourselves in these characters shoes, living in an isolated space and ignoring the atrocities happening in the world around us.
Buckle up and get ready, this one is a wild ride!
As a fan of reality tv, I loved that aspect of the book. Almost like ‘big brother’ is watching when the characters reference the producers. The story takes place in a large house in the middle of a desolate area, with brush fires outside the grounds, but the house seemingly nestled away from danger. Or so it seems. The contestants compete for luxury items like champagne and designer clothing, while also competing for necessities like food and water. The goal is to be the last person in the house, while also coupling up. As the show progresses, the tasks get more aggressive and the contestants get more desperate, forgetting that their entire world is completely orchestrated.
I was drawn into this book immediately and loved how it progressed from morally questionable tasks to outright insane ones, with the characters getting increasingly desperate and gradually normalized to heinous behavior. The story was a competition reality tv show but the subtext of the plot was our world’s addiction to consumerism and the escapism and schadenfreude that comes with reality tv.
Man oh man, there is so much to unpack with this book. It would make for fascinating conversation as a book club choice. It sure made me think and reflect on my feelings and actions on materialism, vanity, etc. as well as the aspect of being aware of what is happening in the world outside your four walls. Much of the book referenced the ‘outside world’ as being dystopian-esque, but really, it’s not hard to put ourselves in these characters shoes, living in an isolated space and ignoring the atrocities happening in the world around us.
Buckle up and get ready, this one is a wild ride!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood