Real or Figments of Imagination Quiz

Answer: Real

Alexandra Tolstoy is a British-Russian equestrian, broadcaster, and writer. She was born in 1973 and is best known as a descendant of the famed Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, her great-great-grandfather.
She first gained prominence in 1999 by riding over 5,000 miles on horseback along the Silk Road, a journey she recounted in her book, "The Last Secrets of the Silk Road." She later became a television presenter and hosted travel documentaries for the BBC, including "Horse People with Alexandra Tolstoy," where she explored equestrian cultures worldwide.
She was married to Sergei Pugachev, a Russian oligarch and former banker. The couple had three children together before separating in 2016.

Answer: Fictional

Howard Roark is the main character in Ayn Rand's book "The Fountainhead," 1943. He's an architect who values his own ideas and doesn't compromise. Roark believes in individualism and creative integrity. He rejects traditional architectural styles and societal expectations, choosing to follow his own vision of modern, functional design. This causes him to struggle professionally and feel isolated. Roark represents Rand's philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes the importance of staying true to personal convictions, regardless of external pressures.

Answer: Real

Heinrich Schliemann (1822-1890) was a German archaeologist best known for discovering the ancient city of Troy and the "Mask of Agamemnon" in Mycenae. Driven by a passion for Homeric epics, Schliemann believed the tales of "The Iliad" were based on historical events.

In the 1870s, he led excavations in modern-day Turkey, where he uncovered what he claimed to be the remains of Troy. Schliemann also conducted significant excavations at Mycenae in Greece. Though controversial for his sometimes destructive methods, his work was essential in linking archaeology with classical literature and advancing the study of ancient civilizations.

In an iconic photograph, his beautiful Greek wife, Sophia Engastromenos Schliemann, is depicted wearing what is known as "The jewels of Helen" from "Priam's Treasure" which her husband excavated in Hisarlik, Turkey.

Answer: Fictional

Anna Karenina, the tragic heroine of Leo Tolstoy's novel "Anna Karenina," is a complex character torn between societal expectations and personal desires. Married to a high-ranking government official, Anna enters into a passionate and ultimately destructive affair with Count Vronsky.

Her love for Vronsky leads her to defy the rigid social norms of 19th-c entury Russian aristocracy, but the resulting scandal isolates her from society and her family. Her relationship gradually deteriorates and her emotional turmoil deepens. Anna becomes increasingly consumed by jealousy and despair.

Her tragic fate - marked by internal conflict and the consequences of pursuing forbidden love - provides a platform for Tolstoy to explore moral, social, and psychological themes.

Answer: Real

Dr. Herman Tarnower was a prominent American cardiologist best known for creating the "Scarsdale Diet," a popular and controversial weight-loss regimen in the 1970s. Born in 1910, Tarnower gained national recognition by publishing his 1978 book "The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet," which promoted a high-protein, low-carbohydrate approach to dieting.

However, his legacy became infamous after his murder in 1980 by his former lover, Jean Harris, the headmistress of an elite girls' school. The trial of Harris, who was convicted of his murder, attracted significant public interest and overshadowed Tarnower's medical achievements, making his personal life as well-known as his diet plan.

Answer: Real

Paul Auster (1947-2024) was an acclaimed American author known for his postmodern and often metafictional works. He gained prominence with his "New York Trilogy," a series of interconnected novels blending detective fiction with existential themes. He was also a screenwriter, poet, and essayist, with his works often reflecting on the complexities of human experience and the randomness of life.

Some of his notable works include "Moon Palace," "The Brooklyn Follies," and "4321." His personal life was marked by tragedy as both his son Daniel and Daniel's infant baby girl, Ruby, died from an accidental drug overdose.

Answer: Fictional

Nora Tyler Bing, a fictional character from the beloved TV series "Friends," is known for her glamorous and provocative lifestyle as a successful romance novelist. She is portrayed by actress Morgan Fairchild and is the mother of Chandler Bing, one of the show's main characters. Nora's open and flirtatious nature often causes discomfort for Chandler, especially when she makes suggestive comments in front of his friends. Although their relationship is somewhat strained, there are moments that reveal Nora's deep affection for her son.

Answer: Real

Rem Koolhaas is a renowned Dutch architect, urbanist, and theorist, celebrated for his innovative and unconventional approach to architecture. Born in 1944, he is the founder, with Elia and Zoe Zenghelis, of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), through which he has designed iconic structures like the Seattle Central Library, the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing, and the Casa da Música in Porto. Koolhaas is known for blending architecture with social and cultural critique, often addressing the complexities of modern urbanization.

He is also an influential writer, with his 1978 book "Delirious New York" considered a pioneering work on urban theory. His designs challenge traditional architectural norms, emphasize flexibility, and explore the evolving relationship between cities and their inhabitants.

Answer: Fictional

Dr. Eric Leidner is a character in Agatha Christie's mystery novel "Murder in Mesopotamia," 1936. He is an archaeologist leading an excavation in Tell Yarimjah, Iraq, where much of the story takes place. Dr. Leidner is married to Louise Leidner, whose mysterious behavior and eventual murder become central to the plot.

As the investigation unfolds, led by Hercule Poirot, Dr. Leidner's relationship with his wife and his work come under scrutiny. His character is portrayed as quiet and intellectual, deeply committed to his archaeological pursuits, but also emotionally conflicted due to the complexities surrounding his marriage.

Answer: Fictional

Frederick Frankenstein is a fictional character in Mel Brooks' 1974 comedy film "Young Frankenstein." Played by actor Gene Wilder, Frederick is the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, the scientist from Mary Shelley's 1818 novel "Frankenstein," who created the iconic monster.
Unlike his grandfather, Frederick initially rejects his family's legacy and insists on pronouncing his name differently ("Fronkensteen") to distance himself from the association with his ancestor's monstrous experiments. However, when he inherits his family's castle in Transylvania, he eventually succumbs to curiosity and follows in his grandfather's footsteps by attempting to reanimate a corpse.
"Young Frankenstein" is a parody of classic horror films and uses elements of the original Frankenstein story but with a humorous twist. Frederick is portrayed as a reluctant scientist who gradually embraces his destiny, leading to hilarious situations and misadventures.