Match Work to Author - 1955-1960 Trivia Game | Literature

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Something of Value (1955)

Answer: Robert Ruark

Robert Ruark (1915-1965) was an American novelist, columnist, and avid big game hunter which resulted in several of his novels being set in Africa. "Something of Value" relates events in Kenya during the Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s.

2. Auntie Mame (1955)

Answer: Patrick Dennis

Patrick Dennis (1921-1976) was an American author whose novel "Auntie Mame" was one of the bestselling American books of the 20th century. It relates the story of an orphaned ten-year-old boy sent to live with his madcap aunt and their hilarious adventures.

3. Marjorie Morningstar (1955)

Answer: Herman Wouk

Herman Wouk (1915-2019) was an American author best known for his historical fiction including his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Caine Mutiny". This story follows the 19-year-old title character as she begins her acting career and suffers the sting of first love.

4. Andersonville (1956)

Answer: MacKinlay Kantor

MacKinlay Kantor (1904-1977) was an American novelist and journalist who wrote more than 30 novels and was awarded the 1956 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for this book. It's the story of the Andersonville Fortress Civil War prison camp run by the South using brutal, degrading cruelty on its prisoners.

5. The Last Hurrah (1956)

Answer: Edwin O'Connor

Edwin O'Connor (1918-1968) was an American novelist, journalist, and radio correspondent. He won a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for "The Edge of Sadness" (1961). This book is an account of Boston politics centered on controversial former mayor James M. Curley.

6. Don't Go Near the Water (1956)

Answer: William Brinkley

William Brinkley (1917-1993) was an American novelist and journalist, best known for this novel. This book is set on a remote island following a group of young officers and taking a humorous look at the public relations side of the Navy.

7. Peyton Place (1956)

Answer: Grace Metalious

Grace Metalious (1924-1964) was an American author known for this controversial book which became one of the best-selling novels ever. This story delves into the passionate cruelty and deceit of three women with secrets to hide.

8. The Scapegoat (1957)

Answer: Daphne du Maurier

Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989) was an English author whose most notable work was "Rebecca" (1938). Here we have a story of two men in a bar who marvel at their physical similarities. They drink heavily until one falls asleep, waking to find the other has stolen his identity.

9. By Love Possessed (1957)

Answer: James Gould Cozzens

James Gould Cozzens (1903-1978) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American author who won for his WWII novel "Guard of Honor" (1949). "By Love Possessed" follows a small-town lawyer as he experiences a wide variety of different types of love and makes some unexpected discoveries.

10. Anatomy of a Murder (1958)

Answer: Robert Traver

Robert Traver (1903-1991) was a noted lawyer, author and fly fisherman from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. His novel "Anatomy of a Murder" has been described as the most popular courtroom drama in American fiction and was adapted for the classic Otto Preminger film of the same name.

11. Lolita (1958)

Answer: Vladimir Nabokov

Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977) was a Russian-American novelist, poet, translator, and entomologist who was nominated for the National Book Award for Fiction seven times. This is the well-known classic of a scholar who is obsessively in love with a twelve-year-old girl ... Lolita.

12. Doctor Zhivago (1958)

Answer: Boris Pasternak

Boris Pasternak (1890-1960) was a Russian novelist and poet who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1958. This is an epic story about the effects of the Russian Revolution on a sensitive physician and poet.

13. Exodus (1959)

Answer: Leon Uris

Leon Uris (1924-2003) was an American author of historical fiction who in addition to "Exodus" wrote 15+ novels including "Mila 18" (1961), "QB VII" (1970), "Trinity" (1976) and "The Haj" (1984). "Exodus" relates the events of the founding of the State of Israel and its effects on a host of main characters.

14. Advise and Consent (1959)

Answer: Allen Drury

Allen Drury (1918-1998) was an American novelist who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1960 for "Advise and Consent". It chronicles the inside workings of Washington politics in dealing with confirmation hearings for a new Secretary of State.

15. Hawaii (1960)

Answer: James Michener

James Michener (1907-1997) was an American author who wrote over 40 books, most of which covered many generations of detailed history surrounding particular geographic sites. This historical novel covers centuries of Hawaiian history, exploring the diverse influences that shaped the populace and landscapes of the 50th U.S. state.

Source: Author jcmttt

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Match Work to Author - 1955-1960 Quiz

Here are some works of fiction that attained the number one position on the New York Times Bestseller list in the years 1955-1960. Parenthetical year indicates when the title first reached the top position on the list. Match the author with their work.

Questions		Choices
1. Something of Value (1955)		Patrick Dennis
2. Auntie Mame (1955)		Edwin O'Connor
3. Marjorie Morningstar (1955)		Leon Uris
4. Andersonville (1956)		Herman Wouk
5. The Last Hurrah (1956)		Grace Metalious
6. Don't Go Near the Water (1956)		Robert Traver
7. Peyton Place (1956)		MacKinlay Kantor
8. The Scapegoat (1957)		William Brinkley
9. By Love Possessed (1957)		James Gould Cozzens
10. Anatomy of a Murder (1958)		James Michener
11. Lolita (1958)		Daphne du Maurier
12. Doctor Zhivago (1958)		Vladimir Nabokov
13. Exodus (1959)		Allen Drury
14. Advise and Consent (1959)		Robert Ruark
15. Hawaii (1960)		Boris Pasternak