Science Fiction for Experts Trivia

1. Ben Bova's epic "Grand Tour of the Universe" series features our gas giant neighbour. The simply titled "Jupiter" is the fifth book; what is the Jovian title of volume thirteen?

From Quiz Joy to the Jovian

Answer: Leviathans of Jupiter

"Jupiter" was first published in the year 2000, and "Leviathans of Jupiter" in 2011. As well as being a Hugo and Nebula Award nominated sci-fi author, Ben Bova also holds a science doctorate and is a well-respected academic and member of NASA's space tourism steering committee.

From Quiz Left Behind...

Answer: Airline pilot

"Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days" was first published in 1996, and was written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. The twelfth and final book, "Glorious Appearing: The End of Days" was published in 2011.

From Quiz Short Stories in SF

Answer: Alfred Bester

The story was written in 1942. The prognostication machine predicts the end of the Universe if an experiment based on the FitzJohn Equation is attempted. Following the timeline back from the end of the Universe, FitzJohn is observed telling how his father had the idea originally and told his mother "I = (b/a) * pi * i * e / mu", which is the FitzJohn Equation. FitzJohn tells where and when this event occurred, there should be no problem preventing the meeting... In "Babylon 5", Walter (Chekov) Koenig plays a psi-cop named Alfred Bester, a tribute to the author.

From Quiz Whatever Tomorrow Brings

Answer: Sixth Column

"Sixth Column" was first published as a magazine serial in the US in 1941, under the pen name Anson MacDonald. It was then published as a novel in 1949. Over the years this book has been the subject of controversy, due to its handling of racial issues between the characters.

From Quiz What If

Answer: Discworld

"Ook" is the only 'word' that the Librarian at the Unseen University, in Ankh-Morpork can say, after he is turned into an orang-utan by a stray spell. Being an ape suits him very well and he resists strenuously all attempts to turn him back into a human. The Librarian (and a cast of assorted Wizards, Witches, and hangers on) are all found in the "Discworld" novels by Terry Pratchett. The first book, "The Colour of Magic" was first published in 1983. By 2010, more than 65 million copies of the various books in the series had been sold, in no less than 37 languages!

From Quiz I Know What You're Thinking

Answer: The Midwich Cuckoos

Published in 1957, "The Midwich Cuckoos" tells the story of a group of alien children born in one village in England. They have two distinct group minds, one for the boys and one for the girls. In addition to being telepathically linked to each other they can also use the group mind to control the actions of others. The 1960 film "Village of the Damned" was a quite faithful screen adaptation.

From Quiz Heinlein, Herbert and Aldiss

Answer: Heinlein

The book is Robert Heinlein's "Time Enough For Love", a tale of the life of Lazarus Long, the oldest man alive. Published in 1973 it was nominated for Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards.

From Quiz The Martians Are Coming

Answer: The Sands of Mars

"The Sands of Mars" was published in 1951, well before the start of the space race. Mars has been colonised but remains largely unexplored. When a native species is discovered it is a kangaroo-like vegetarian creature with limited intelligence.

From Quiz A Stroke of Genius

Answer: Griffin

Published in 1897, "The Invisible Man" is an early example of science fiction. Griffin manages to make himself invisible by changing the refractive index of his body. Having done this he then finds that he cannot make himself visible again, and as a result becomes violently insane. Eventually he dies whilst attacking someone and his body gradually becomes visible again.

From Quiz More Science Fiction First Lines

Answer: The Homeward Bounders

First published in 1981, "The Homeward Bounders" tells the story of Jamie and his attempts to return home after being trapped in the mysterious "Game" by the even more mysterious "Them."

From Quiz Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Novels (Part 2)

Answer: Oryx and Crake

Canadian Margaret Atwood's 2003 novel "Oryx and Crake" followed the story of one survivor, Snowman, who has no choice but to live among the byproducts of this experimentation. The author is well known for her female centered stories. "Oryx and Crake" is a rarity in that the protagonist is male.

From Quiz Opening Lines of Sci-Fi Classics

Answer: "Ender's Game," by Orson Scott Card

Card won the 1986 Hugo Award for "Ender's Game," and also won it the next year for its sequel, "Speaker for the Dead."

From Quiz Place Names in Sci Fi & Fantasy Literature

Answer: The Honor Harrington series by David Weber

Grayson is the patriarchal world where Honor Harrington becomes the first ever Lady Steadholder. Sphinx is where she was born. The Talbott Cluster makes its appearance late in the series, and becomes the setting for 'The Shadow of Saganami.'

From Quiz Rulers of the Realm In Literature

Answer: Aeron Aiobhell

Patricia Kennealy-Morrison has written several novels of the Keltiad, including a trilogy based on the Arthurian myths. Incidently, Ard-righ and Ard-rian mean High King and High Queen, respectively.

From Quiz Opening Lines

Answer: "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," L. Frank Baum

This classic was made into a musical, though I recommend that everyone also read the book, since the movie lacks certain scenes.

From Quiz Sci-Fi quiz #1

Answer: An alien invasion

A book about a man who changes reality when he dreams.

From Quiz Do You Know Your Books?

Answer: David Eddings

David Eddings writes fantasy stories with his wife Leigh. The characters in the question are in his Belgariad and Mallorean series. He has also written other series such as his Elenium and Tamuli series with Sparhawk as the main character. On a more personal note, I believe him to be one of the best fantasy writers of all time.

From Quiz Sci-Fi in Literature

Answer: The Stainless Steel Rat

In the books of the same name, by Harry Harrison.

From Quiz Joy to the Jovian

Answer: Hope Hubris

The series was written by Piers Anthony, and the first volume, "Refugee", was published in 1983. The sixth and final volume, "Iron Maiden" (2002), tells the story of Hope's sister Spirit, who tries to fill his shoes after he is assassinated.

From Quiz Whatever Tomorrow Brings

Answer: Polly Perkins

The novelisation of "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow", which was published to coincide with the release of the film in 2004, was written by Kevin J. Anderson. In the film, directed by Kerry Conran, the role of Polly Perkins was played by Gwyneth Paltrow.

From Quiz What If

Answer: Robin Hobb's "Farseer Trilogy"

The "Farseer Trilogy" comprises "Assassin's Apprentice", "Royal Assassin" and "Assassin's Quest", published in 1995, 96, and 97 respectively. Robin Hobb is a pen name used by Megan Lindholm. The line in question is said by FitzChivalry as he looks back on his childhood and adolescence being used as a pawn in the machinations of the various royal factions.

From Quiz I Know What You're Thinking

Answer: The Bugs

Published in 1959, "Starship Troopers" follows the military career of Juan Rico as he rises through the ranks of the Mobile Infantry. The book is set during a time of interstellar war between mankind and the "Bugs", an arachnid type species who think as one and who have no concept of individuality.

From Quiz Let's Hear it for the Girls

Answer: Z for Zachariah

Left alone after a nuclear war, Ann thinks she may be the only person left alive, until one day, Mr. Loomis arrives wearing a radiation suit and suffering from radiation sickness. Author Robert C. O'Brien died shortly before "Z for Zachariah" was published. He also wrote "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH", first published in 1971.

From Quiz Science Metafiction

Answer: His name is Brother

In a modern twist on traditional fairy tales, author John Connolly has the King trying to steal David's baby half brother's heart to prolong his own life. By saying "His name is Brother" and not "Georgie", David stops this from happening. A similar plot device was used in the 1986 film "Labyrinth" starring David Bowie as the Goblin King. "The Book of Lost Things" was first published in 2006.

From Quiz Heinlein, Herbert and Aldiss

Answer: Heinlein

The book is "Friday" by Robert Heinlein. Published in 1982 it was short-listed for both Nebula and Hugo awards. Like many of Heinlein's books, it explores the nature of human relationships and prejudices, whilst also being a good old-fashioned adventure story.

From Quiz The Martians Are Coming

Answer: A flying carpet

In Edwin Lester-Arnold's 1905 novel Gulliver Jones travels to Mars on a flying carpet. Once there he encounters two species of Martian, the Hithers and the Thithers. Although the book was not very successful when first published, it has since come to be regarded as an important development in 20th century science fiction writing.

From Quiz First Contact

Answer: The destruction of Earth

Written by Greg Bear and published in 1987, "The Forge of God" sees Earth destroyed by an alien species. A small number of people are evacuated to Mars from where they launch a search for the attackers, a quest that is followed in the sequel "Anvil of The Stars".

From Quiz She Blinded Me with Science Fiction

Answer: Andre Norton

Norton, who was born in 1912, was presented with the Grand Master Award in 1984. When she died in 2005 she had written over 130 novels and nearly 100 short stories. Norton's works included science fiction, time travel, and fantasy for both adults and youth. After her death the SFWA created the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy. (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America website)

From Quiz Ticket to Ride

Answer: Helva

"The Ship Who Sang" was first published in 1969, and Anne MacCaffrey later used the "Shellperson" characters in several other novels too. A shellperson is a one whose body has failed them, almost always as a newborn, and they are housed inside a complete life support system inside a titanium shell. They can then be educated and trained, and eventually put to work, as a space ship, planetary manager, or even a space station. They are in massive debt by this point, to the galactic authorities who pay for their shell, medical treatment, and education, but with work, and luck, they can pay off these debts and "buy themselves free" of any obligation. Helva is one of the lucky ones who manages this.

From Quiz A Stroke of Genius

Answer: John Roe O'Neill

Published in 1982, "The White Plague" tells of a disease engineered by John Roe O'Neill that kills only women. This is in revenge for his wife and children having been killed by an IRA bomb. He lets the plague loose in Ireland, England and Libya and demands that all citizens of those countries living elsewhere are forced to return home so that they will loose what he has lost. In the ensuing break down of law and order the plague escapes into the wider world leading to chaos. As it spreads Rome is destroyed by atomic bombs, North Africa becomes a desolated area. Women capable of child bearing are forced into multiple marriages, and are fiercely protected from all outside contact in an effort to keep them healthy.

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Last Updated Dec 21 2024 5:55 AM

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