I’ve been asked this classic question in more than one job interview: If you were trapped on a desert island with only one book to read, what book would it be?
That is quite the question. What book would I take?
Worried about my soul’s salvation, I would consider taking a religious text. I mean, imagine what levels of spirituality—what nirvana—I might achieve after years on my desert island.
Or I could take an old favorite to be my companion. I wouldn’t mind sharing my island with Anne Shirley, Elizabeth Bennett, or Hercule Poirot. (Though I’d much prefer Gilbert Blythe, Fitzwilliam Darcy, or . . . Captain Hastings?)
But what answer do I usually give? Clarissa by Samuel Richardson. Not only is the BBC miniseries to die for (Sean Bean is such a dreamy villain), but the book has over a million words. It could take me weeks just to get through it. And since I’d have weeks to spare . . .
Of course, this raises the question (and I expect oodles of answers in the comments section): What book would you take?
4 comments:
I will have to think about this one for a bit.
I love the image of you and Captain Hastings on a deserted island together. :) I also like the idea of taking the longest book with me. . . . What would it be?
Maybe I will take "The Fountainhead" with me. It took me a year to read "Atlas Shrugged," so I should have plenty of reading with another Ayn Rand.
Here's another idea. I could take a book I absolutely despise, and then it would take me forever to read it.
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