Saints Stranded

This week Amelia Perry has been stranded on an island and forced to pick three songs, a book, and a luxury item. What would you choose?

I’ll be honest with you, I’m nothing if not an all-round nicer person when I’ve been in the sun, and I think I deserve this extended beach holiday — after all, what better way to kick off my retirement from The Saint? As possibly one of the world’s most indecisive people, this column has been time-consuming, agonising, and genuinely really difficult. In fact, it’s been nigh on impossible, but we got there in the end (I think).

First up, it absolutely has to be ‘Hungry Eyes’ by Eric Carmen. No contest. It’s from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack and has been a staple on my list of favourite songs since I was given the DVD. It’s an emotional and sexy power ballad, and I think it’s beautiful. 

My second track is the Stiff Dylans’ ‘Ultraviolet’. Okay, okay, the song from Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging might not be the most highbrow choice I could have made, but you aren’t going to be there anyway, so shush. I’m trying not to get depressed, so keeping things upbeat is key, and this one is a certified bop. I can’t help but think that screaming this at the top of your lungs to a deserted island would be incredibly cathartic.

Finally, it’s Sir Elton John and I’m going with ‘Are You Ready For Love?’ (the original, not the 2017 remaster). It’s eight minutes and fifteen seconds of pure 70s serotonin, and never, ever fails to get me up for a boogie. Sir Elton is the soundtrack to so many of my happiest memories — so there’s more than enough material to keep my resolve going until someone is able to come and rescue me. 

Pride and Prejudice is my book of choice. It’s a classic for a reason: witty, heartwarming, characters that are lovable and relatable… plus I’m a romantic. Sue me. It’s physically impossible to read it without a great big smile on my face, and the trials and tribulations of the Bennett family will never fail to keep me entertained.  

My luxury item would be a lifetime’s supply of negronis. It’s the best drink in the world; completely lethal, and to be honest I don’t think there’s a single situation that can’t be significantly improved by a couple of those bad boys.

Illustration by Ruby Pitman