Question 1

The author of the Russian novel, "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich," was one of the few people ever to be expelled from the USSR. Who was the author?

Accepted Answer

ALEXANDER SOLZHENITSYN

Question 2

Which character narrates the novel, Moby Dick?

Accepted Answer

ISHMAEL

Question 3

Name the authors of each of these famous novels: a. For Whom the Bell Tolls b. Gone With the Wind c. Lady Chatterly's Lover:

Accepted Answer

a. ERNEST HEMINGWAY   b. MARGARET MITCHELL   c. D.H. LAWRENCE

Question 4

Which 1995 film, based on an 1811 Jane Austin novel, starred Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant?

Accepted Answer

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

Question 5

When he graduated from high school in 1917, he chose journalism instead of college and spent seven months as a newspaper reporter. While driving a Red Cross ambulance in Italy in 1918 he was severely wounded by shrapnel. Who was he?

Accepted Answer

ERNEST HEMINGWAY

Question 6

In 1616, English writer Ben Johnson said, "He was not of an age but for all time." About who was he referring?

Accepted Answer

SHAKESPEARE

Question 7

Which romantic British poet, about 200 years ago, wrote, "Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink..." ? Browning, Byron, or Coleridge?

Accepted Answer

SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE

Question 8

Which English clergyman, mathematician, and author wrote "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"?

Accepted Answer

LEWIS CARROLL  CHARLES DODGSON

Question 9

What pair of economic philosophers were the driving force behind communism when they wrote the 1848 book "The Communist Manifesto"?

Accepted Answer

KARL MARX / FRIEDRICH ENGELS

Question 10

Which classic novel opens with the lines: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness." And who was the author?

Accepted Answer

A TALE OF TWO CITIES / CHARLES DICKENS

Question 11

Which British author created a world of elves, orcs, ents, and of course hobbits, and what is the title of his famous trilogy?

Accepted Answer

JRR TOLKIEN / LORD OF THE RINGS

Question 12

Mark Twain once said, "If you don't read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper, you are ... " what?

Accepted Answer

"MISINFORMED"

Question 13

This British dramatist and poet lived about 400 years ago and is considered the first poet laureate of Britain. A Canadian track star has the same name. Who was this person?

Accepted Answer

BEN JONSON

Question 14

The three witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth utter what eerie chant?

Accepted Answer

DOUBLE, DOUBLE TOIL AND TROUBLE; FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE.

Question 15

A famous line from Shakespeare is Othello's description of himself as “ ONE THAT LOVED NOT .... what?

Accepted Answer

WISELY BUT TOO WELL

Question 16

This classic Russian novel features Rodya Raskolnikov, who kills two old women because he believes that he is beyond the bounds of good and evil. What's the title, and who wrote it?

Accepted Answer

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT / FEODOR DOSTOEVSKY

Question 17

According to the opinion of President Lincoln, which best-selling 1852 novel helped bring on the American Civil War?

Accepted Answer

"UNCLE TOM'S CABIN"

Question 18

Who was the author of the 1961 classic of science-fiction, "Stranger in a Strange Land"?

Accepted Answer

ROBERT HEINLEIN

Question 19

Born in Paris in 1694 with the name Francois Marie Arouet, he was a philosopher, poet, essayist, and author of Candide. Who was he?

Accepted Answer

VOLTAIRE  Considered the most influential figure of the French Enlightenment

Question 20

In 1958, Russian poet and novelist Boris Pasternak was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature, but negative Soviet reaction forced him to refuse the honor. For which novel was Boris Pasternak awarded the Nobel Prize?

Accepted Answer

DR. ZHIVAGO

Question 21

Can you name four Shakespeare plays contain geographical locations in the title?

Accepted Answer

The Two Gentlemen of VERONA / The Merry Wives of WINDSOR / The Merchant of VENICE / Timon of ATHENS / Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Question 22

In 1945, English author George Orwell published what novel, a fable about the failure of communism?

Accepted Answer

ANIMAL FARM

Question 23

In the mid-1800's he was poverty-ridden and a failure as an actor. He went on to become well-known as a great author and storyteller, especially of fairy tales. Name this famous Dane.

Accepted Answer

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

Question 24

Which explorer wrote the books, in 1878 Through the Dark Continent and in 1890, Darkest Africa ?

Accepted Answer

HENRY MORTON STANLEY

Question 25

What is the title of the 1953 play about the Salem Witch Trials, and who was the author?

Accepted Answer

"THE CRUCIBLE" / ARTHUR MILLER

Question 26

Which 19th century horror novel was written by Mary Shelley?

Accepted Answer

FRANKENSTEIN

Question 27

In 1917, after a printer's error caused all his words to be printed in lower case, this Massachusetts poet continued the practice -- and became famous because of it. Who was he?

Accepted Answer

E.E. CUMMINGS  1894-1962

Question 28

Can you name the author and main character of the popular 1950s novel about a sensitive but rebellious youth who runs away from his boarding school, The Catcher in the Rye ?

Accepted Answer

J.D. SALINGER / HOLDEN CAULFIELD

Question 29

Which British novelist experienced a great deal of success in 1933 and 1934, when he wrote the books Lost Horizon, and Goodbye, Mr. Chips ?

Accepted Answer

JAMES HILTON

Question 30

Which author first wrote, "Parting is such sweet sorrow"?

Accepted Answer

SHAKESPEARE

Question 31

The well-known line: “Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die” comes from the English poem, “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” written by whom?

Accepted Answer

ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON

Question 32

Can you name the novelist, humorist, and satirist who said, "A classic is something everybody wants to have read but nobody wants to read."

Accepted Answer

MARK TWAIN

Question 33

Name the author of each of these works of literature which eventually went on to become films or stage shows: a. The Last of the Mohicans?   b.the stage show   Les Miserables? c. the play  Glengary Glen Ross?

Accepted Answer

a. JAMES FENIMORE COOPER   b. VICTOR HUGO   c. DAVID MAMET

Question 34

In his work Metamorphoses, the Roman poet of love, Ovid, created a god of dreams, after whom a drug is named. Who was this god?

Accepted Answer

MORPHEUS

Question 35

Which hard working, hard drinking 18th century Scottish poet wrote the lyrics to the songs as "Coming Through the Rye" and "Auld Lang Syne"?

Accepted Answer

ROBERT BURNS   1759-96

Question 36

The real name of this 19th century British novelist was Mary Anne Evans. Her novels include Silas Marner and Middlemarch. She wrote under what pseudonym?

Accepted Answer

GEORGE ELIOT

Question 37

This English explorer, poet, and historian was sentenced to death in 1603 on a trumped-up charge of treason against James I. Imprisoned in the Tower of London, he wrote his History of the World. He was released on parole in 1616 to lead an expedition to South America. Who was he?

Accepted Answer

SIR WALTER RALEIGH

Question 38

Which Irish-born novelist and playright, whose plays include Waiting for Godot (1952), won the 1969 Nobel Prize for literature?

Accepted Answer

SAMUEL BECKETT

Question 39

Which author wrote Terms of Endearment, The Last Picture Show and Lonesome Dove ?

Accepted Answer

LARRY McMURTRY

Question 40

This Greek poet from the sixth century B.C. reputedly originated Greek tragedy; after his name certain actors are named. Who was he?

Accepted Answer

THESPIS

Question 41

What 12th century Archbishop of Canterbury, killed by king's men, is featured in plays by T.S. Eliot (Murder in the Cathedral) and the French playwright Jean Anouilh?

Accepted Answer

THOMAS à BECKET

Question 42

Which servant appeared in English author P. G. Wodehouse's comic stories about snooty English upper classes?

Accepted Answer

JEEVES

Question 43

In 1953, Ernest Hemingway won the Pulitzer Prize for literature, for what novel?

Accepted Answer

THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA

Question 44

What 19th century French author is known for such adventure novels as Around the World in 80 Days, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, and Journey to the Center of the Earth ?

Accepted Answer

JULES VERNE

Question 45

The 13th Century Italian poet named Dante Alighieri wrote a poem about an imaginary journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, which is considered perhaps the greatest poem of the Middle Ages. What is the name?

Accepted Answer

DIVINE COMEDY

45 Book and Literature Trivia Questions and Answers

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