The Compound review: Love Island turns extremely dark in powerful Aisling Rawle debut novel

As a passionate cinephile, I find myself immersed in a universe reminiscent of the captivating realm of reality television, where strangers unite in pursuit of a shared goal – in this case, finding love within a competitive dating setting, as skillfully crafted by Rawle.

Consistently, however, there’s an unexpected turn – the competitors must complete tasks both individually and collectively to acquire items they require (and items they simply find appealing) – and if they wish to endure within The Compound, they must ensure that a member of the opposite gender shares their bed each night.

The TV show appears straightforward, but it’s evident that such a program wouldn’t exist nowadays. The contestants are pushed to the verge of illness due to food scarcity, suffer extreme dehydration, and endure distressing conditions. All these hardships lead to minor rewards like water, a door, or a necklace adorned with diamonds.

As for me, I’m one of those eager contestants – Lily. I’ve always been captivated by this show, understand its intricacies, and yearn to persist until the final moments. My ambition stretches far beyond just being a part of it; I long for the limelight, the riches, and an opportunity to break free from my mundane life spent behind a makeup counter in a store where I can’t even afford a single item.

Lily’s character often leaves one perplexed as she oscillates between being self-centered and overly concerned about her image. Despite having an opportunity for a genuine connection with a kind gentleman named Sam, she becomes engrossed in her quest to win the show and gauge public opinion, thus neglecting the potential for a meaningful relationship with him.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, it’s tough for me to connect with any of these characters. It seems like many who join reality shows are no exception – they usually have ulterior motives that aren’t immediately apparent; their bold personas are what initially got them on screen in the first place.

Experiencing The Compound strips away much of the delight found in observing contestants intermingle, exhibit playful behavior, and display genuine humanity. Instead, what the viewer encounters is a raw portrayal of the surreal nature of participating in a TV show where cameras follow you constantly for 24 hours a day. In such an environment, it’s challenging to conceal one’s true character for extended periods.

Rawle prefers to focus solely on the contestants of this specific season as seen through Lily’s perspective, rather than diving deeply into the behind-the-scenes production aspects.

The performance is intensely immersive as they let events unfold naturally, rarely interfering until it’s almost too late. They depict violent altercations between men and women, meting out severe penalties for such acts. Moreover, they add an element of suspense by exiling banished participants into the desert, leaving their fate uncertain – will they make it back home or not?

In a standout manner, this work provides an insightful examination of modern reality television, portraying it as an apocalyptic landscape where the relentless pursuit of fame and endorsements turns alarmingly aggressive. However, Rawle’s debut transcends this premise, delivering a scathing critique not only on capitalism but also the burgeoning trend of influencers.

Lily frequently emphasizes that reaching the final five significantly increases their chances for brand partnerships, which seems to be the primary motivation behind her desire to advance – whether with a new partner or not. Should she emerge victorious, she stands to gain immense popularity and wealth.

The character of Andrew serves as a clear illustration of the intense drive to impress both viewers and show creators, who have influence over the plot.)

At first, he seems rather ordinary, yet pleasant enough, and consistently takes a stand for what’s right. However, when the producers deliberately withhold water to push the content group into competitions, it is Andrew who experiences the harshest hardships. The cold-hearted undercurrents of all the other competitors enable them to persevere, but unfortunate Andrew grapples with severe dehydration instead.

The producers save him when he’s on the brink of death and get him well enough to rejoin the house, where he lives harmoniously with Lily. During the season, they collaborate to create a statue for the show – an unsightly one made from all the rewards accumulated as a team throughout the season.

Eventually, everything they accumulate feels worthless, serving as a grim reminder of the unspeakable acts they had to perform to acquire them. Meanwhile, Andrew remains disenchanted, continually amazed by the divine-like production team who always seem capable of rescuing him in times of trouble. Yet, he is exiled from their presence when the time comes.

In 2025, Rawle illuminates the gritty truth about fame as countless TikTok users twist themselves into various positions seeking likes, followers, and subscribers. However, remember that lucrative endorsement contracts may not be all they’re cracked up to be.

Order The Compound by Aisling Rawle on Amazon now.