Whose Plot Is It Anyway? Trivia Quiz

Answer: "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov

"Lolita" was shocking to the readers of the 1950s. Its themes of sexual deviance and murder could have damned this book into obscurity, but it survived and emerged as a classic. It showcases some of Nabokov's best work; his poetic prose and his ability to place humanity under the harshest of scrutiny.

Answer: "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Truman Capote was a close friend of Harper Lee, author of "To Kill A Mockingbird". "In Cold Blood" is often thought of as the defining work of Capote's career, though "Breakfast At Tiffany's" has enjoyed greater exposure due to its adaptation to screen with Audrey Hepburn.

Answer: "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte

Under the alias of "Currer Bell", Charlotte Bronte penned this literary classic and defied the traditional Victorian notions of gender roles. Its passionate and unorthodox storyline, of a lone woman seeking independence and freedom, and its disregard for the traditional notions of a husband and wife's relationship both shocked and intrigued readers. All of the Bronte sisters wrote under a nom de plume. Anne Bronte under "Acton Bell" and Emily Bronte under "Ellis Bell".

Answer: "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold

Adapted to screen in 2009 by Peter Jackson, "The Lovely Bones" painfully recounts Alice Sebold's own experiences after she was similarly attacked in her youth. It was a surprise success, due to its being only Sebold's second book and its controversial subject matter of death, violence and the afterlife.

Answer: "1984" by George Orwell

1984 has come and gone, but the pungent themes in this book, of lost free will and suppression, continue to stun and unnerve readers. George Orwell's books often concerned social injustice and the dangers of an overly powerful political right-wing. "1984" served as a terrifying insight into a world ruled by a political party, which claims to have the public's best interests at heart but abuses and represses them.

Answer: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Was that a bit too easy? Still a favourite of mine despite all of the movies, television shows, parodies and comic sketches that have engulfed it since. Jane Austen did enjoy fame and success in her lifetime but it is dwarfed compared to the almost mythic height her celebrity has reached since her death. "Pride and Prejudice" is often considered to be a romantic comedy, but it is more accurately a satire, and a very funny one at that.

It examines the manners and morals of late 18th century England with a sharp wit that is still being appreciated over two hundred years later.

Answer: "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory

This gritty, intricate historical fiction novel is the most successful and well-known of Philippa Gregory's work, though she has written many other historical novels based in medieval England, including "The Queen's Fool", "The Virgin's Lover", "The Other Queen", "The Boleyn Inheritance" and "The Constant Princess".

It was adapted for screen in 2008 with Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana.

Answer: "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

Often considered the best of Dickens' many novels, "Great Expectations" was originally published in Dickens' periodical "All The Year Round" in serials, and was one of his last works. Dickens' health was failing rapidly in the 1860s and wasn't helped by his public readings throughout this time. "Great Expectations" is described as "haunting" and I agree.

It showcases some of Dickens' most subtle, confronting work and a concise plot of vengeance, betrayal and disappointed hopes.

Answer: "The String of Pearls" by Anonymous

This classic horror story has enjoyed renewed exposure with the release of Tim Burton's 2008 film "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street". The story itself is often credited as being written by several different writers, because of the changing style and polish of the writing throughout the novel.

Answer: "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift

The relentlessly sharp satire in Swift's masterpiece has brought it as much controversy as fame. Swift was known for his ferocious political views but abandoned the Whig party in disgust after they displayed "dissenting sympathies". The Whig party are viciously satirized in "Gulliver's Travels", along with men, women and virtually all the citizens of Europe. Swift is also well-known for his black comedic essay "A Modest Proposal".