Author Topic: Author! Author! (Read 434621 times)

bellemere · « **Reply #160 on:** June 13, 2009, 01:03:35 PM »

Just walked in the door after a two hour drive from the Cape, made more interesting by listening to:
Teatime for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith, turned on the computer to Author Author to get ca;ught up and found the answer!
Fans of Precious, get this one. That scheming mantrap Violet finally gets her comeuppance!

Frybabe · « **Reply #161 on:** June 13, 2009, 01:34:56 PM »

Gumtree, I really wasn't expecting to get it. Just that they have been running Emma on TV (On Demand) and I just saw The Jane Austen Book Club a week or so ago. I do get the characters mixed up as to which book they belong in though. If you have a book title ready, go ahead and post. I must get ready for work now and don't have anything ready to go just now.

Gumtree · « **Reply #162 on:** June 14, 2009, 12:05:11 AM »

I think Tomereader might like to take her reward for her win and lead off this time -

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #163 on:** June 14, 2009, 11:57:19 AM »

Though American by birth, this author's settings are set predominantly in London. Her "dynamic duo" main characters have a huge following.

Mippy · « **Reply #164 on:** June 14, 2009, 03:56:18 PM »

Anne Perry ?
I think she's American, right? I probably have over 20 of her books.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #165 on:** June 14, 2009, 04:34:30 PM »

Sorry, Mippy. Not Anne Perry.

Frybabe · « **Reply #166 on:** June 14, 2009, 06:06:15 PM »

Mippy, you got the first letter right. Ann Perry is Australian.

Frybabe · « **Reply #167 on:** June 14, 2009, 07:01:58 PM »

Elizabeth George wrote the Inspector Lynley series, but I don't know if they are set in London. Lynley's sidekick is Barbara Havers.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #168 on:** June 14, 2009, 08:11:30 PM »

Frybabe, the winner and new champion! Indeed, it is Elizabeth George, and the "dynamic duo" I spoke of (my coining of phrase) is Lynley & Havers. I won't specify "London", although they seem to take place in the countryside outside a major UK hub. I haven't read all the books in this series, like many of you probably have, but am reading one now for a f2f book group! I am enjoying it, although it moves a good bit slower than our American mysteries seem to! (Not cozies, by any means) You may now lead off with your own quiz!

Gumtree · « **Reply #169 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:14:33 AM »

Good one Frybabe!

BTW Anne Perry is not an Australian. She was born in England and spent some of her formative years in New Zealand with her father. She and a girlfriend murdered the girlfriend's mother they were later tried and convicted. Having paid her debt to society she went on to become a writer.

Mippy · « **Reply #170 on:** June 15, 2009, 09:23:28 AM »

Thanks, Gumtree ... that's what happens with wild guesses, not looking up anything.
I used to enjoy all those Anne Perry books, even knowing there was a horrible crime in her own life.

Hi, Frybabe (Margie), amica mea: are you posting a question?

Frybabe · « **Reply #171 on:** June 15, 2009, 11:44:12 AM »

Oops! Sorry Gumtree. That's what I get for not checking facts. I had heard that Ann Perry was Australian. I guess some people don't distinguish between Australia and New Zealand. I was unaware that Ann Perry was born in England.

Now for the quiz.

Although I've been dead a long time, some today are calling me the original Horse Whisperer. I wrote about horsemanship and the duties of a cavalry commander among other things.

Gumtree · « **Reply #172 on:** June 15, 2009, 11:18:06 PM »

Well I'm completely at a loss - horse whisperer? cavalry? though for some reason the ancient Greek, Xenophon popped into my mind - he had control of the cavalry so I guess he could have been a horse whisperer as well except all I can remember is that he kept exhorting his men to do better...

Frybabe · « **Reply #173 on:** June 16, 2009, 08:55:51 AM »

Gumtree, you are just too good! Tag you are it. Xenophon is correct.

A lot of his writing apparently has survived. He was a friend of Socrates and wrote a number of works explaining or "apologies" for Socrates teachings. Xenophon was also a soldier of fortune, hence the writings on horsemanship and the cavalry. He eventually became a wealthy land-owner.
Among his better known works were what has been described as an historical novel, Cyropaedia(The Education of Cyrus), in which he expresses his views on kingship, moral reform, and family life. Anabasis was about an "expedition" against the Persians and Hellenica, which is a Greek History.

PatH · « **Reply #174 on:** June 16, 2009, 09:31:01 AM »

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #175 on:** June 16, 2009, 11:09:17 AM »

And who would've known that except someone conversant in Greek, Greek History and is obviously head and shoulders above the likes of me.

Wow! is right.

JoanK · « **Reply #176 on:** June 16, 2009, 02:41:18 PM »

WOW is right!

JudeS · « **Reply #177 on:** June 17, 2009, 12:29:55 AM »

Yeeks! Unbelievable.
Gumtree you are IT!

Gumtree · « **Reply #178 on:** June 17, 2009, 03:59:25 AM »

Okay Okay ...keep it down girls! Genius I am not. It was just a lucky thought - in fact I almost fell off the chair and swallowed my tonsils when I saw Xenophon was right....

and so now I really am IT. This one is easy and I'm sure you'll get it pretty quickly.

AUTHOR: I am regarded as an intellectual and gathered many of the intelligensia around me to discuss literature and issues of the day. I wrote several novels, a couple of which are regarded as classics of their kind.

CHARACTER: I made an unfortunate marriage, the reason being that the family fortune had dwindled and I needed the money. I am shrewd and ambitious but the marriage was not a happy union.

PatH · « **Reply #179 on:** June 17, 2009, 03:16:12 PM »

That's an intriguing puzzle. I had a great idea, but it turns out to be impossible.

ginny · « **Reply #180 on:** June 17, 2009, 05:04:50 PM »

Gum you are unreal! Congratters! You all are so knowledgeable about authors, it's scary!

JudeS · « **Reply #181 on:** June 17, 2009, 05:25:08 PM »

Is it Oscar Wilde?

Gumtree · « **Reply #182 on:** June 18, 2009, 05:40:34 AM »

A good guess Jude but incorrect - I can see how some of the clues could fit Wilde as well.

Clue du jour:

AUTHOR: I eschewed the religion I was raised in which caused a serious rift with my father. I then espoused an anthropocentric form of faith and translated texts by outstanding German humanist thinkers.

CHARACTER: I am one of my author's great creations. I enjoyed playing at the gambling tables. I am admired for my sporting prowess as exemplified by my skill as a good shot - and I like winning.
My partner in marriage was always unfaithful and had a child through an illegal liaison.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #183 on:** June 18, 2009, 11:08:20 AM »

Von Goethe?

JoanK · « **Reply #184 on:** June 18, 2009, 02:29:24 PM »

Wild guess Trollope

JudeS · « **Reply #185 on:** June 18, 2009, 06:04:49 PM »

This is another wild guess-
George Bernard Shaw

PatH · « **Reply #186 on:** June 18, 2009, 06:08:07 PM »

This is driving me nuts--I'm sure I know it. Good one, Gumtree.

Gumtree · « **Reply #187 on:** June 19, 2009, 04:53:17 AM »

More good guesses but all are incorrect.

I'm sure you know it too, Pat -in fact, I'm sure everyone here knows it.

The title has actually been used more than once on Title Mania and at least one other book by the author was discussed on the old site.

Clue du jour

AUTHOR: My novels were initially well received and very popular. Over the years that popularity waned and my work was disregarded to the point of being almost entirely neglected but then interest in my work was revived by a discerning scholar. Now, my novels once again enjoy a wide readership and receive the attention, respect and accolades they so richly deserve.

CHARACTER: The story in which I appear was my author's last novel. The choice of material used widened the scope of the novel especially in regard to psychological insights into characterisation. Certain themes were also new and my author touches on race, religion, cultural identity and the sense of belonging.

Frybabe · « **Reply #188 on:** June 19, 2009, 08:58:57 AM »

How about James Joyce?

However, I don't think Finnegan's Wake fits. Has anyone read this? I hear it is "difficult".

JoanK · « **Reply #189 on:** June 19, 2009, 08:14:47 PM »

Rats! I thought I had it with Daniel Deronda by George Elliot, but he didn't marry for money.

Gumtree · « **Reply #190 on:** June 20, 2009, 06:32:28 AM »

JoanK: You thought you had it - and YOU DID ! CONGRATS!

The author IS George Eliot - the title IS Daniel Deronda - but Daniel is Not the character

Keep thinking everyone !

As for the clues:
George Eliot attracted the top thinkers of her time who regularly sat at her feet to receive her crumbs of wisdom although initially only men dared to associate with her because of her de facto relationship with George Henry Lewes but a few forward-thinking women gradually drifted to her side as well.

She gave up the Anglican religion and took up Humanism translating works by Feuerbach and Strauss.

F.R Leavis was the scholar who resurrected interest in her novels though he was of the opinion that Daniel Deronda would be better for and more readily received if all the Jewish components were cut out completely - he at least deserves recognition for generating new interest in her work.

Her novels are now regarded as some of the greatest in the language - Middlemarch may in fact be THE greatest.

More on the character later...

Gumtree · « **Reply #191 on:** June 20, 2009, 09:10:43 AM »

Here's another clue about this character in Daniel Deronda

CHARACTER Some see me as having 'second sight' or of being what used to be called 'fey' and this aspect adds an intense other-worldly dimension to my personality. My nervous intensity is echoed in another character by a visionary intensity and my hysteria is shadowed by another's illness. These elements are used by my author to bring together different strands within the novel.

I hope JoanK is busy preparing the next quiz

Frybabe · « **Reply #192 on:** June 20, 2009, 10:36:19 AM »

Congratulations JoanK.

The only George Eliot I ever read was Silas Marner way back in high school. I'd like to read Middlemarch sometime.

JoanK · « **Reply #193 on:** June 20, 2009, 02:21:28 PM »

Wow! I've never read Daniel Deronda; so I have no idea who the character is. My husband was very impressed by Eliot's treatment of being Jewish, and talked to me about it, so the mention of "race" and "belonging" gave it to me.

Frybabe: we had a great discussion of Middlemarch a few years ago. Too bad you missed it. It's a long book, and drags sometimes, but well worth reading.

JoanK · « **Reply #194 on:** June 20, 2009, 09:04:46 PM »

I know the character is still unknown, but I thought of a puzzle and will posst it before I forget.

The author: this book was influenced by my experiences in WWII. It changed the way of looking at certain things and became the basis for a popular activity.

GUMTREE: I'm sorry, but I suspect the book is not available in Australia. Due to it's nature, it would not be of interest there, although there are undoubtedly similar books there.

The character: is known for musical ability and appears in books by other authors. One of thes books has been made into a classic movie.

Gumtree · « **Reply #195 on:** June 21, 2009, 12:00:21 AM »

Well, we get most things here JoanK- but I'm happy to sit on the sidelines for this one.

I rather thought the mention of 'race' and 'belonging' would provide the vital clue. Your husband's comments are interesting as many people objected to Eliot's treatment of 'being Jewish' - she was farsighted in advocating in 1878 that a Jewish national state be founded and even went so far as to suggest Palestine. 'Deronda' is a long book but such a worthwhile read - it's many years since I read it and I wish I hadn't thought to use it here as I'm wanting to settle down into it again.

JoanK · « **Reply #196 on:** June 21, 2009, 05:10:37 PM »

Oh, dear. I seem to have shut everyone up with this one. Here are some more clues.

The author died a few years ago, but I'll bet further updates will be published. I'll also bet that many of you who live in the American East, South, or Midwest have an edition of this book, and have never read it. You may have looked at the pictures, though. (Those of us in the West have a different book by the same author. Gumtree may well have a similiar book).

The character, as I said, also appears in the title of a classic novel and a classic movie. The movie starred Gregory Peck.

There! THAT should give it to you. I won't be on the computer again perhaps till tomorrow, when I'll see how you did).

Mippy · « **Reply #197 on:** June 22, 2009, 06:02:46 AM »

Good mornin' JoanK ~ what a difficult one.
one question allowed? was the movie with G. Peck an adaptation of the book or not?

2nd non-question: I assume it's allowed to use internet search tools to look up movies, right?
I'll refrain from searching until it's sunrise in CA

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #198 on:** June 22, 2009, 12:50:12 PM »

"Gentlemen's Agreement"?

JudeS · « **Reply #199 on:** June 22, 2009, 01:23:35 PM »

Is it C.S.Forester and the book Horatio Hornblower?

News:

Author Topic: Author! Author! (Read 434621 times)