If you could pick one novel — just one —

And leave that single novel for posterity, what would it be?

I saw a question similar to this on Quora this morning and surprised myself by having an immediate reaction. Generally I freeze up with this kind of question, because of course it’s hopeless to choose just one book.

I’m not sure I would eventually decide to go with my very first, immediate answer, but here it is:

Immediate answer: Les Miserables.

After that of course I thought about this question a little more. It’s not like I read Les Mis more than once. I did read it, though — the unabridged version, too — which is a measure of how much I loved the play.

Second answer: classic novel I’ve read a lot more than once: The Count of Monte Cristo.

But I’m not sure. Maybe? I really love this book, but let me pause for a moment and reflect that I really prefer fantasy to all other genres. Once I say to myself, “Wouldn’t you rather pick a fantasy novel?” the answer is clear:

Third Answer: The Lord of the Rings.

I’m stopping with that one. That’s the one I’d probably choose, if it actually came to a choice.

How about you? Do you have an instant reaction, and does that choice outlast a five-minute pause for reflection?

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