First Words Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)

"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" is the first book in a series of five novels by Douglas Adams (1952-2001). He was considering writing a sixth book when he died unexpectedly from a heart attack at the age of 49 in 2001, so the series remains "a trilogy in five parts". He has also written a number of other books, most of which are related to the "trilogy".

Douglas Adams was a multi-talented individual. In addition to being a best-selling author, he appeared on "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and contributed to some of their sketches, wrote episodes of "Dr. Who" and played guitar with Pink Floyd and Procol Harum. He was involved in the creation of several computer games. He was also actively involved in many environmental and conservation campaigns and was a patron of Save the Rhino International.

Answer: Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)

"Anne of Green Gables" was the first novel published by Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942) in 1908. The protagonist Anne is an impulsive, red-headed orphan adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. "Anne of Green Gables" was the first in a series of novels about Anne's life.

During World War 2, the book was banned in occupied Poland because Anne's character was perceived as being an individualist who resisted authority - not traits the German and Soviet authorities wanted to encourage.

Answer: Sense and Sensibility (Jane Austen)

"Sense and Sensibility" was the first published novel by Jane Austen (1775-1817). It was published anonymously in 1811, the author being indicated as "Edited By a Lady". This was because Jane Austen wanted to protect her privacy and avoid gossip. At that time, it was not considered respectable for women of her class to earn money by publishing.

"Sense and Sensibility" is the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. Elinor, the elder, represents sense. She is practical, logical and considerate. Marianne, the younger, represents sensibility. She is emotional, impulsive and idealistic. The novel compares and contrasts the ways they react to unexpected financial hardship, romance, heartbreak and societal expectations.

Answer: The Water Babies (Charles Kingsley)

"The Water Babies", published in 1863, was authored by Charles Kingsley (1819-1875). Kingsley was an English writer, social reformer and a priest in the Church of England. He was one of Queen Victoria's chaplains and also briefly served as a private tutor to the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII). Kingsley was a close friend of Charles Darwin and was one of the first religious leaders to support Darwin's new theory about evolution and natural selection.

"The Water Babies" is his most famous work and it abounds with morals - that actions have consequences, the necessity of hard work and good hygiene, the importance of learning and the importance of kindness to all living creatures.

The protagonist, Tom, is an abused chimney sweep who drowns in a river and is reborn as a "water baby". This book is credited with exposing the appalling working conditions of chimney sweeps, who were typically just children, and led to the 1864 Chimney Sweepers Regulation Act and a gradual but significant improvement in their conditions.

Answer: Five Children and It (E. Nesbit)

Edith Nesbit (1858-1924) was an English author who published over 60 books for children under the pen name E. Nesbit. "Five Children and It" was published in 1902. The five children are Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane and their baby brother, Hilary. "It" is the Psammead, a sand fairy, who grants the children one wish per day, resulting in some comical misadventures as the children fail to think through the possible consequences of their wish. Thankfully, their wish only lasts until sunset. Author E. Nesbit coined the name Psammead by combining two Greek words "psammos" (meaning sand) and "dryad" (a mythological tree nymph).

Answer: Black Beauty (Anna Sewell)

"Black Beauty" by Anna Sewell (1820-1878) is the story of a horse that suffers abuse from a series of owners. Sewell based Beauty on her brother's horse, Bessie, and her own horse was the inspiration for the character of Merrylegs.

Some sources claim that, during the era of apartheid, the South African government censors banned "Black Beauty" without reading it, simply because of its title and their assumption that the book must have something to do with civil rights for black people. Other sources say this is an urban myth spread by anti-apartheid groups to mock the ignorance of the government censors. However, Emeritus Professor Robert Ross, one of the foremost historians of African history, cites it as fact in his highly regarded work, "A Concise History of South Africa".

Answer: The Wind In The Willows (Kenneth Grahame)

Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) was a Scottish writer. His most famous work, "The Wind in the Willows", began its life as a series of bedtime stories that he wrote for his only child, Alastair, about the adventures of four animal friends - Toad, Mole, Ratty and Badger. Some aspects of Alastair's personality were embodied in the character of Toad.

Although not well-received when it was released in 1908, the popularity of "The Wind in the Willows" received a boost when it was favoured by the then U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt and A. A. Milne, author of the 'Winnie the Pooh" books. In fact, Milne liked the book so much that he adapted it for the stage in 1929 as the hit play "Toad of Toad Hall".

Answer: Rebecca (Daphne Du Maurier)

Daphne Du Maurier (1907-1989) was an English writer. She wrote a number of notable works which have been made into movies, including "Jamaica Inn", "The Birds", "Don't Look Now", My Cousin Rachel" and, of course, "Rebecca".

"Rebecca" is a Gothic tale and psychological thriller about an insecure young woman who marries a wealthy widower and moves to his isolated estate, Manderley. She soon realizes that the memory of her husband's first wife, Rebecca - who drowned in a sailing accident - still dominates the house, manipulated by the malicious and obsessive housekeeper, Mrs Danvers.

Daphne Du Maurier was accused by two different authors who claimed she plagiarised the plot of "Rebecca" from their works. A claim by American author Edwina MacDonald was dismissed in court and the judge ruled there was no plagiarism. A claim by Brazilian author Carolina Nabuco never went to court as Nabuco decided not to pursue the matter.

Answer: Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)

The characters and events in "Little Women" were based on Louisa May Alcott's own family and their experiences during the American Civil War. The main characters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March were inspired by real life sisters Anna, Louisa May, Elizabeth and Abigail Alcott, respectively.

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) and her alter-ego Jo March were both tomboys, writers, quick-tempered and worked hard to support their families. Alcott was an avid suffragette and abolitionist. In 1879, she made history by becoming the first woman to officially register to vote in Concord, Massachusetts, when the state granted women limited local voting rights.

Answer: Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)

"Jane Eyre" was the first published novel of English author, Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855). It was published in 1847 as "Jane Eyre: An Autobiography" and noted as being edited by Currer Bell, Charlotte's pseudonym. "Jane Eyre" contains many elements from Charlotte's own life experiences.

The book was quite controversial upon release and Charlotte's former headmaster threatened to sue her for libel when he recognised himself as one of the characters, the brutal and sanctimonious Mr Brocklehurst (talk about self-incrimination!). Charlotte was forced to write a letter of apology to avoid a lawsuit.