According to a popular medieval legend, the hermit John of Beverley was tested by God, who sent an angel to force John choose among three sins: drunkenness, rape, or murder. Sensibly, as anyone might, the hermit chose drunkenness. Or not so sensibly, as it would soon turn out, because, in his drunken insensate stupor, he raped and murdered his own sister.

Francine Prose, Gluttony (15)