My Favorite Novels by My Favorite Novelists Quiz

Answer: The Iliad

"The Iliad" ends with the funeral of Hector, and refers to him as the tamer of horses. "The Iliad" is actually the story of the Greek hero, Achilles, and is set during the tenth year of the Trojan War. Hector was the ill-fated Trojan hero who would be slain by Achilles during single combat.

The first book that I ever checked out of the Carnegie Library was a child's version of "The Iliad".

Answer: The Fountainhead

"The Fountainhead" is the first successful novel by Ayn Rand. Her philosophy of objectivism, which involved the individual as a heroic figure, and whose morality is based on pursuit of individual excellence, is embodied in the main character, Howard Roark. I much preferred "The Fountainhead" over Rand's other major work, "Atlas Shrugged", because in the former she let her character's actions portray the philosophy, while in the latter the reader is subjected to a number of lengthy and repetitive speeches to make the same point.

Answer: Fields of Fire

Webb served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam, earning a Navy Cross, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. The book was hailed by many for its realistic portrayal of war. I first read it at the age of nineteen, which was the same age as many of the central characters, and therefore I was able to strongly identify with them.

Answer: The Grapes of Wrath

I read this novel only after taking several quizzes on this site. Prior to that, I had read Steinbeck's novel, "The Pearl", in school as required reading, and found it boring. As for "The Grapes of Wrath"? I think it was a great depiction of the harsh conditions of life in the 1930s, a harshness most of us of the current generation wouldn't survive.

Answer: David Copperfield

This novel had many great characters. The aunt was Betsey Trotwood, a wealthy individual who provided Copperfield with a shot of making it in life. The carriage driver was Barkis, who was willing to have Peggotty, Copperfield's zany nanny, as his wife, and the "'umble" clerk was Uriah Heep, one of the creepiest characters I ever read about (and also a name of a rock band in my teenage years).

A great novel by any measure or definition. Other characters, such as Micawber, Murdstone, Mr. Dick, Traddles, etc, just add to the enjoyment of reading this novel. And it gave the reader a solid look at life in Victorian England.

Answer: Little Men

Written by Louisa May Alcott, better known for "Little Women", this story focused on a boarding school run by Jo, one of the four Little Women.
It centers around the young lads, many from rough backgrounds, who are slowly molded into young gentlemen. A very entertaining and easy read.

Answer: The Godfather

In his semi-autobiographical book, "The Godfather Papers and Other Confessions", Mario Puzo revealed that after writing two critically acclaimed novels that brought him very little money, he wrote the third, which he considered inferior, with the sole intent of making money. He succeeded beyond belief, with the best selling novel, and soon to be blockbuster movie, "The Godfather".

Answer: Hot Money

Malcolm, an extremely wealthy gold investor, is the patriarch of the zany Pembroke clan. The clan includes five ex-wives and nine children, one of whom is trying to eliminate Malcolm. His seventh son, Ian, joins him as a defacto bodyguard, and now both are in the killer's sights. However, to find the murderer, they have to look beyond the money. Dick Francis had been a top jockey, and rode for The Queen Mother of England.

Answer: The Assyrian

Aristotle wrote "The Ethics". "The Warriors" was a cult favorite movie of the early 1980s, based loosely on a novel, which was based loosely on an old historical tale, "The Anabasis". The Assyrians did have a King Erashadden, but not much is known about him, as the Assyrians gave military matters priority.

Answer: Angel of Darkness

Caleb also wrote "The Alienist", which was about a more traditional serial killer and featured the same detective team as Angel of Darkness. Libby Hatch is, in my opinion, one of the scariest female characters in fiction. The story focuses on early psychological profiling and forensic science being applied in nineteenth century New York.