Lily

Lily, the narrator and protagonist of the novel, is constructed as both the victim and the embodiment of the novel’s critique of reality television culture. As a contestant, she appears to be an ordinary young woman who seeks validation, romance, and material comfort through her participation in the show. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that she is defined by a deeper hollowness of character that predates her involvement with the show. Her actions, her narration, and her attachments all point toward a personality defined by emptiness, dependence on external approval, and fixation on rewards that never ultimately satisfy her.

From the outset, Lily measures her worth against others. When she first arrives, she immediately compares her physical attractiveness to the other women, interpreting desirability as the key to survival in the game. This reflexive competitiveness signals her internalisation of the show’s values, where beauty...