As regards to Shakespeare: well when you have his complete works with you you have the prototype of everything ever written after him (not that he was that original, the man was a plagiarist pur sang, as most writers were in those days!). His language, tone and rhythm keep you on your toes. Many people think reading Shakespeare is for the elite, but that is nonsense. He wrote for the people, high and low class. His humour is as often rowdy as it is subtle. Above all I think his writings are timeless. Apart from the language -which you get used to quickly- the stories and more importantly the -sometimes hidden- emotions are of all times. I don't read Shakespeare that often, but I couldn't do without his works.

    With these two books I could spent the rest of my life on a desert island. Although I'm glad I can still buy books -new and old- to still my voracious literary hunger!

    If you want to tell me about your desert-island-books, please e-mail me.