Can You Tell a Book by Its Cover?

The most memorable aspect to his face was his eyes; the color of a cloudless sky on a warm summer's day. His dress was nothing spectacular. It was obvious that first impressions mattered little to him or that he didn't realize they mattered at all. He was an attorney who never seemed to take a vacation and who once stated to her, "I love the practice of law". Through conversations with lawyers at three different law firms at which she worked, no one had made such a statement. He was a mystery. Their relationship, if you could call it that, began in early fall the prior year. She was readying the department for the arrival of the fall associates. Sick, tired and utterly desperate to go home, she was in a conference room preparing the endless fall arrival orientation packets. He had come in and started conversation. It wasn't a memorable conversation and she didn't remember all that much about him. As the year progressed, he'd come by her desk and converse. He'd tell her little things about himself and she'd offer up some entertaining stories. Nothing progressed beyond the casual "ice breaking" conversation. Several partners had stated he was "obsessed" with her and it seemed no secret of his interest. Yet, he never made the interest known.


One summer morning, following a cocktail reception she'd attended the prior evening, an anonymous e-mail arrived in her inbox. She instantly wondered if it was from her "obsessed" attorney acquaintance. In the subject heading was "Hello" followed by her name. The contents simply stated that she was pretty and that seeing her was the highlight of his day. It was left unsigned and had no name indicating who it was from. Panic had swept over her.

Was it another stalker? It obviously was from someone at work since it came to her work e-mail account and called her by name. Little by little the screen name was decoded, by her co-worker, to be from the mysterious attorney. Yet, during that cocktail reception he seemed to do everything to avoid her. She shrugged and had decided most men were just abnormal.

Why not sign his name? She thought.

A year had come round to another and soon they were talking more freely. It was discovered during conversation that each had an interest in reading and literature. He suggested she read his favorite book; eagerly she agreed. It wasn't common for her to meet a fellow reader eager to offer up book suggestions. When he offered her his book to read she accepted with gratitude. She expected to read something she fell instantly in love with. Instead, she was instantly not in love. The book was satirical, cynical and made obvious statements against war, American life and believing in anything. While well written, it wasn't something she'd choose. Then the questions began:

If you love a book does it mean you agree with its standpoint?

If a cover does tell you about the book does it also tell you about the readers who love it?

There wasn't an easy answer. She'd only gotten a 1/4 of the way through and already she wondered at the character of who had suggested it. What did his liking this book say about him? Was he an irreverent sort of person? Did he question authority, governments and simply believing in something?

She's couldn't be sure. Perhaps she'd just have to get to know him to find out...that is, if he'd allow her to get to know him.