Haley Christianson, Children’s Librarian and Programming Assistant, recommends The Compound by Aisling Rawle.
Two things that I love include reading dystopian novels and watching reality TV shows. So, when I heard that The Compound by Aisling Rawle was being described as Love Island mixed with Lord of the Flies, I had to give it a try.
The Compound follows 20-year-old Lily as she competes in a popular reality TV show set in a remote, near-future and somewhat dystopian, desert compound. Lily and nineteen other competitors sign up to be filmed 24 hours a day, while attempting to complete the goal of being the last one standing in the compound.
The twenty contestants must work together in group activities to receive everyday needs to survive, such as food and a front door. But that is not all; they are also completing personal challenges that often test their morals in order to win luxury rewards such as makeup and silk pajamas.
With the camera catching everything, we watch the competition grow; connections form; and lines blur between surviving and playing the game. With the winner receiving the ultimate prize, of anything they could possibly want at the end of the show, what will they need to do to win?
While the novel didn’t provide many likeable characters or huge plot twists, two things that usually make me recommend a book, I found it to be very enjoyable. I loved how quick and unique the story was. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the theme of consumerism, as it was presented in such a new way.
Watching Lily fight for rewards that never really satisfied her felt a little like many people’s current overconsumption lifestyles. It really made me think if I truly needed to press BUY NOW on my current online shopping cart.
All in all, I highly recommend this debut novel, The Compound from Aisling Rawle, if you are looking for a quick, but enticing read.
