Ten Books on my Bedside Table Trivia Quiz

Answer: Arms

"A Farewell to Arms" was heavily based on Hemingway's own experiences as an ambulance driver in the Italian campaign theater during the first world war, although it was not autobiographical. He did fall in love with a nurse who aided him when he was injured but that romance did not survive beyond the war.

The book depicts the ugly reality of war rather than celebrating the heroism which is often the focus of war novels. This novel was critically acclaimed and considered one of his best works.

Answer: The Count of Monte Cristo

Alexander Dumas (père) set "The Count of Monte Cristo" within the historical events occurring during the Bourbon Restoration from 1815 to 1839. The story revolves around Dantès; how he was wrongfully imprisoned, escaped and became a highly successful man in Italy and then returned to avenge himself on those who so grievously wronged him.

His vengeance, which has terrible consequences for the guilty and some innocents, then leads to a final forgiveness and perhaps moral redemption. This book has been made into a large number of movies, dating back to a silent movie of the same name in 1908.

Answer: Outlander

"Outlander" is the first in an eight-part series by Diana Gabaldon and was published in 1991. While in Scotland, the protagonist, WWII army nurse Claire Randall, is transported back in time to the 18th century. The Highlanders are distrustful at first, believing her to be an English spy or a witch. When she realises what has happened to her, she passes herself off as a widow and is eventually ordered to marry a man she treated. When she is given a chance to return to her own time, she declines and stays in the past.

The novel was made into a 16-part television adaptation starring Caitriona Balfe as Claire.

Answer: Never Let Me Go

"Never Let me Go" narrates the story of three teenagers and their lives at Hailsham, an English boarding school, and their journey into adulthood. Something is not quite right about their lives and Kathy, Tommy and Ruth discover they are clones that are being kept as a source of organs for more 'worthy' people. The reader finds out about this horror at the same time as the three friends.

Answer: Emma

"Emma", released in 1816 and written by Jane Austen, revolves around the titular character who believes herself to be a match-maker. Despite her good intentions, Emma doesn't always get it right, and causes one couple to breakup before they finally announce their engagement.

The tables turn on Emma when she falls in love with a man her best friend is in love with, but in true Austen style, everything turns out well in the end.

Answer: Murder

The 1926 novel ""The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" was written by crime novelist extraordinaire, Agatha Christie. It is her sixth novel and the third featuring Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. In this novel, first Ackroyd's fiancé, then Ackroyd himself are murdered in short succession. Local villager Poirot breaks his retirement to investigate the case.

Answer: Enduring Love

Joe Rose is having a picnic with his partner Clarissa when they witness a hot air balloon float by with a young boy trapped in the basket. The boy is saved but a man dies. Joe and Jed, another rescuer meet briefly. Jed suffers from de Clerambault's syndrome, a disorder that causes the sufferer to believe that someone is in love with him or her. This lusting Jed has for Joe wrecks Joe's life.

"Enduring Love" is one of Ian McEwan's most successful novels and it was made into a successful movie in 2004 starring Daniel Craig.

Answer: Northanger Abbey

"Northanger Abbey" was the first of Jane Austen's novels to be completed (finished in 1803) but it wasn't published until December 1817, after her death. In this novel, Catherine wishes to marry Henry, however her father believes the lies told to him and refuses to allow the marriage.

The antagonists, John and Isabella Thorpe, cause a great deal of consternation and unhappiness in Catherine's family until the truth is finally revealed and the 'happy-ever-after' takes place.

Answer: Tristan and Isolde

Tristan (Tristram) and Isolde (Iseult, Ysolde) is a medieval love story culminating in the tragic death of both lovers. A knight, Tristan, travels to Ireland to ask for the hand of the fair Isolde on behalf of his uncle, the dragon-slaying King Mark of Cornwall.

A love potion to expedite the intended love ends up in the wrong hands. King Mark is furious and pursues the pair. With lots of plot twists, Tristan and Isolde eventually die within minutes of each other.

Answer: atonement

In addition to the first letter of the preceding nine answer giving the title of the tenth book, each of the preceding questions were linked in the following ways to this final novel:

Q1 Like "Atonement", "A Farewell to Arms" describes the love between a military man (Henry) and an English nurse, Catherine Barkley during a World War. In "Atonement", we witness the WWII reconciliation between Robbie, a soldier and Cecilia a nurse

Q2 Like Robbie in "Atonement", Dantès was wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he never committed. But unlike Robbie, he was able to exact revenge on those who caused him such terrible misfortune on what was to have been his happiest day

Q3. Both "Outlander" and "Atonement" feature nurses during WWII. In "Atonement", Cecilia trains as a nurse during WWII, whereas we first see Claire in "Outlander" as a surgical nurse near the end of WWII.

Q4. The survivors, Briony in "Atonement" in 2007 and Kathy in "Never Let Me Go" reflect on how their actions have impacted on the fates of those whom they have loved and lost.

Q5. In "Emma", despite Emma's good intentions, she often makes a situation worse, instead of better. This situation is reflected in "Atonement" where Briony mistakenly believes she is right, and consequently ruins a young man's life and the happiness of her sister.

Q6. In "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd", there is a major twist in the final act that forces a complete reassessment of what has transpired before. A major plot twist in the last phase of "Atonement" also causes a major re-evaluation of what has been read.

Q7. Ian McEwan was author of both "Enduring Love" and "Atonement".

Q8. In "Northanger Abbey", the Thorpes are displeased about Catherine's friendship with the Tilneys which leads to misunderstandings. In "Atonement", Briony mistakenly accuses Robbie of attacking a young lady, thus sending him to prison and driving a wedge between Cecilia (Robbie's love and Briony's sister) and the rest of the family.

Q9 Lovers and soul mates, betrayed by a jealous relation, die lonely and heartbroken. The jealous relation here was King Mark, in "Atonement" it was the younger sister, Briony.