The Conversation (0)
Sinead Butler
May 11, 2021
Do you have a book that is a potential deal breaker? People on Twitter have been discussing theirs.
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Twitter is known for sparking fierce debate - and today’s controversial question involves dating and books and literature.
It all started when writer Michele Wojciechowski, tweeted to her followers the following scenario, “You’re on a first date with someone, and they tell you the name of their favorite book. You immediately leave. What’s the book?”
With millions of books out there in the world, the possible answers are endless, and each person has their own subjective preference of course.
You’re on a first date with someone, and they tell you the name of their favorite book. You immediately leave. What’s the book?— MicheleWojciechowski (@MicheleWojciechowski) 1620661034
Immediately, the responses came flooding in and the tweet now has over 17,000 retweets and 18,000 likes and replies.
It’s fair to say many are opinionated on this subject matter, and shared their particular book “ick.”
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But there was one book in particular that was a deal-breaker, Ayn Rand’s 1957 novel, Atlas Shrugged.
The 1,200 page book is about a dystopian United States in which captains of industry struggle against stifling regulations and an over-reaching government and one by one close down production, destroying the world economy as a result.
Recurring themes in the novel include objectivism that tapped directly into the American ideals of freedom, hard work and individualism.
It was generally disliked by critics but did attract a core fanbase and was adapted into a film series that was released between 2011-14.
@TheMicheleWojo Atlas Shrugged https://t.co/gxSopbHcdz— HippieLongstocking (@HippieLongstocking) 1620670639
@TheMicheleWojo I am just here to count how many people say Atlas Shrugged.— PCR RitesGood (@PCR RitesGood) 1620685553
I mean, everyone’s said it but it’s gotta be Atlas Shrugged 🗺🤷♀️ https://t.co/1CA9keozrx— Daryl Sng (@Daryl Sng) 1620689016
@TheMicheleWojo Went out w a guy 20 yrs older than me and the only books he had in his home were Atlas Shrugged and… https://t.co/FkXAgSxLVk— Disabled People Are Not Disposable (@Disabled People Are Not Disposable) 1620666735
Some said that they enjoyed the book in their adolescence but eventually grew out of it.
I read Atlas Shrugged when I was 15 and quite enjoyed it. And bought into it. I read it again in uni and quite enj… https://t.co/xXnqyh7eua— Jonny (@Jonny) 1620732276
@eminently_me5 @TheMicheleWojo I think if they're really young, Rand is forgivable as they'll probably grow out of… https://t.co/N7SdJmcSbA— Matt Kane (@Matt Kane) 1620709009
@Stephwolfe101 I was fascinating with Rand when I was about 20. Read Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. Then I grew up.— Duane Bratt (@Duane Bratt) 1620094962
@TheMicheleWojo A lot of people are saying anything Ayn Rand, BUT, when I was in my early 20s I read everything she… https://t.co/Es2fZHrEvR— Internet Apex 👁👁📲 (@Internet Apex 👁👁📲) 1620672511
The debate has caused curious people who have never read the novel to purchase it, in order to see for themselves (though others have replied warning them not to).
@TheMicheleWojo I’ve never read anything by Ayn Rand. But based on these comments—-I just ordered ATLAS SHRUGGED on… https://t.co/fii26tdTXs— dayofhearts (@dayofhearts) 1620686121
I never read "Atlas Shrugged" but it is so vehemently (and perhaps performatively..) hated on Twitter that I am qui… https://t.co/ofWYcfzfBf— Marco Salvi (@Marco Salvi) 1620710858
Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kamph was also common response, for obvious reasons...
Mein Kamph https://t.co/CQmzcOckYY— J.D. Sadler (@J.D. Sadler) 1620741105
The thread...so much judgement just based on peoples reading habits. Unless its 'mein kamph' , then the question is… https://t.co/XTVAZs54N4— saurabh parmar (@saurabh parmar) 1620713515
@TheMicheleWojo Mein Kamph. Unless they are a historian that’s a pretty big red flag— Cultured Swine (@Cultured Swine) 1620676804
Other popular responses included The Bible with nearly 25,000 people liking the following tweet where one person explains why this religious text would be off-putting on a first date.
@TheMicheleWojo The Bible. Because if anyone tells me their favorite book is the Bible, I’m going to assume that (a… https://t.co/8TFzeSPPK9— Modernaficence 3X!🎄 (@Modernaficence 3X!🎄) 1620667452
Two answers: 1) The Bible - they don't read 2) Atlas Shrugged - oof https://t.co/ruxH92KLYw— Jeremy Whitley (@Jeremy Whitley) 1620698128
@TheMicheleWojo I can only choose one?! The Bible, but Atlas Shrugged is close— Rosemary (Romi) Hill 😷💉 (@Rosemary (Romi) Hill 😷💉) 1620674347
Childhood favourite, the Harry Potter series was also a title among some of the responses with people saying that the JK Rowling classics should be left in our youth.
In summary: Grow up.
@TheMicheleWojo Any of the Harry Potter books. I am an adult who reads a fair amount and I prefer to date adults w… https://t.co/JYOKnf6yfj— Kim Conley (@Kim Conley) 1620675143
@TheMicheleWojo Harry Potter. Any of them.— Denise Norris Young 🌊🌴♑️ I delete unwanted msgs (@Denise Norris Young 🌊🌴♑️ I delete unwanted msgs) 1620699896
@TheMicheleWojo Everyone is saying all these really serious things but my brain just instantly went to Harry Potter— Loz♡🐈 (@Loz♡🐈) 1620701744
Some people denied that they would judge anyone for their taste in books.
@TheMicheleWojo I wouldn't walk out. I'd just be happy that he reads any books and not judge. And I would always th… https://t.co/uc9Mv6l0Uz— Carbo and Josabella Forever! 💋⌛ (@Carbo and Josabella Forever! 💋⌛) 1620690903
@TheMicheleWojo Doubt I’d judge any favorite book of someone’s. Unless it was something clearly racist or sexist or something like that— corn (@corn) 1620711367
@TheMicheleWojo Unless it's Mein Kampf who am I to judge? If intellect is judged on something that gives someone pl… https://t.co/GJ4nQ20ACp— Deestress77 (@Deestress77) 1620688986
@TheMicheleWojo If someone has a favorite book, that's ok with me. Why judge? At least they read.— Ann Joris (@Ann Joris) 1620719190
Well, one thing we can all agree is that this Twitter debate has certainly been an interesting read.