Desert Island Thought Experiment

[Schism]

Let's say you have someone who experienced a good amount of things in life, read plenty of non-fiction stuffs, yet never read ANY fiction in his/her entire existence. They find themselves stranded on a desert island later but with only ONE book. What book would you choose for them? It has to be the ultimate, most objective expression of literature. Failing the latter, just pick a book for them so that they have hope of one day writing thoughtful literature themselves one day (scrawled on a cave wall using shards of coconut).

 

[Rzero]

While I wouldn't call it the ultimate, most objective expression of literature, if I had to pick a desert island book for a stranger, not knowing their taste, I would take a gamble on The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. And I would choose this book over other personal favorites and more revered or popular reads for several reasons. For one, you don't want something depressing and bleak for your first, last and only book ever. You're already stuck on the island, for God's sake. You might as well read something fun, and Hitchhiker's Guide is definitely that. It's arguably the funniest book ever written, subject to personal taste, of course. And as gloriously absurd as it is, it's also a solid adventure story, so it's far from boring. It also stands up on repeat reads, which would be important for your one and only book forever. And if it's not cheating, I would preferably find them a copy of The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide, which includes all five novels and a short story in one 800+-page book, thus expanding their library significantly.

 

[Schism]

I hear good things about Hitchhiker's, though only watched the movie once--and drunk as well.

My island book would be lord of the flies. Just to be cheeky.