The Compound by S.A. Bodeen is an apocalyptic science fiction novel (otherwise known as "dystopian"). During a camping trip, Eli's father tells his family that a nuclear war is waging and the family must take cover. The family is extremely wealthy due to the father's computer company, YK Industries, and Rex carefully planned for just such an event. Despite the lavish way the family is accustomed to, Rex recreated in detail nearly every aspect of the family's home...in the compound. The family is set to live underground for 15 years until the nuclear material is no longer dangerous. But the family encounters many obstacles, including the fact that Eli's twin brother and grandmother we left behind and presumed dead. For the 6 years that Eli's family has been underground so far, he has struggled with his own feelings of guilt that Eddy is no longer with them. Then, the food supply begins to deplete, despite all efforts to have sustainable food for all 15 years of the expected stay in the compound. It begins to seem strange that Eli's genius father would overlook some essential aspects of the compound, especially since he developed horrific methods for overcoming food shortages. When Eli discovers a potential wireless internet connection, he begins to question his father's motives, as well as the true safety of his entire family.
The main characters include:
ReplyDeleteEli - the protagonist of the story, which is told in first person from his perspective. Eli is a tortured soul, and his lack of self-worth is prominently displayed in his refusal to accept human contact.
Rex - the wealthy father and head of YK Industries. His lack of social skills may indicate a developmental disorder, such as Asperger's Syndrome, although this is not explicitly stated in the novel. If nothing else, he is an extreme perfectionist.
Mom (name?) - nurturing woman who wants what's best for her kids. She seems to get steamrolled by Rex sometimes, and may have ultimately married him because he is a good provider. Mom and dad do not see eye to eye on many things, and their relationship suffers throughout the story. Mom is constantly pregnant while in the compound, but this is most likely because Rex wants her to continue producing children.
Lexie - oldest child and adopted. Rex was adopted and donates a lot of money for orphans. Mom fell in love with orphaned Lexie and she became the child of the family.
Eddy - Eli's twin who is much more socially adept than Eli. Eddy is left out of the compound and presumed dead. His IM name is TwinYan1, which becomes important in the story.
Terese - is the baby of the family for many years, and she is sweet and nurturing like her mother. She enjoys taking care of the supplements.
The Supplements - Lucas, Cara and Quinn are all born in the compound and are segregated from the rest of the family. Eli discovers that all of his family members do still spend significant amounts of the time with the little kids, all except for him.
Gram - Mom's mother and one of Eli's favorite people. The twins, Eli and Eddy, used to spend summers with Gram in her him of the Big Island of Hawaii. She is purposely excluded from the compound.
Phil - Rex's accountant and pawn. He will do anything that the father tells him to do.
Cocoa - Eli's beloved lab who gets left behind.