A Shilling's Worth of Trouble in "Farthing" Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In which year--several years after the historical divergence of the story--is "Farthing" set?

Answer: 1949

The date of 1949 is mentioned at several points in the story. The divergence from our timeline occurred several years earlier in 1940-41 when the US remains uninvolved in World War II and far less supportive of Great Britain. The British government signs a peace treaty with Nazi Germany. Britain is at peace and not occupied but much of Continental Europe remains under German occupation.

In Britain itself, significant numbers in the government and the population at large are sympathetic to the Nazi government in Berlin.

2. Whose death sets off the plot of the novel?

Answer: Sir James Thirkie

Sir James is an important--if boring--politician who will likely hold a ministerial title in the next Prime Minister's cabinet. He is found dead in his bedroom with a cloth Star of David, a clumsy clue that is meant to suggest the murderer was Jewish.

3. Which family owns the Farthing House estate?

Answer: The Eversley Family

Lord and Lady Eversley are the owners of Farthing House. Lucy Kahn, nee Eversley, makes references to growing up here. Apart from the estrangement between her and her parents, Lucy is ineligible to inherit the house since it is entailed and tied to the title Lord Eversley holds.

The house and title will pass to the nearest suitable MALE heir. Lucy's brother would have been eligible to inherit the house and title before he was killed during the war.

4. Who is the victim of an assassination attempt while riding on horseback?

Answer: Lucy Kahn

Tired of being confined in the house while the investigation is ongoing, Lucy accepts her father's invitation to go horseback riding on the estate. While they are riding, a young man with a rifle shoots at them. He is shot by Lord Eversley. The man is named Alan Brown and a membership card identifies him as a Communist.

His girlfriend, Angela Timms, is later interviewed by Inspector Carmichael as part of the case. It is later discovered that the Farthing Set had hired Brown to scare Lucy Kahn.

5. Several adulterous relationships are mentioned in the novel. To which town does Lucy Kahn refer when talking about adultery?

Answer: Going to Bognor

Amongst the aristocratic and/or wealthy set that are visiting Farthing House in the storyline, adulterous relationships are commonplace. Several individuals are described by name by Lucy as carrying on an affair, including Sir James.

6. Who are two characters who provide the points of view in "Farthing"?

Answer: Lucy Kahn and Inspector Carmichael

Lucy Kahn provides a first person point of view in the odd numbered chapters. A third person point of view from Inspector Carmichael's perspective is the basis for the even numbered chapters. Carmichael leads us through the investigation. Lucy gives us the background to the people involved.

7. Which term is NOT used by one of the narrators to refer to sexuality?

Answer: Trojan

Lucy Kahn uses several terms to describe the sexuality of people she knows. It is unclear whether these terms are used only by her immediate set or are used in a more widespread sense. "Roman" describes those who are heterosexual. "Macedonian" describes those who are bisexual. "Athenian" describes those who are homosexual. The term "Trojan" is not used in this context.

8. During the course of the novel, who becomes Prime Minister of Britain?

Answer: Mark Normansby

Mark Normansby, who turns out to have been the mastermind behind the murder, becomes the next Prime Minister. He had previously been Foreign Secretary. He plans to introduce some of the measures that are already occurring in continental Europe, including identity cards and banning or expelling foreigners and communists.

He seeks to bring Britain into a closer relationship with Nazi Germany.

9. Though Inspector Carmichael has solved the murder, he is pressured to accept the official explanation. Which of Inspector Carmichael's "secrets" is used to blackmail him into keeping quiet?

Answer: He is homosexual

Inspector Carmichael is very reserved about his private life. Even Sergeant Royston, who works with Carmichael on the case, is not aware. The man who is his significant other is officially presented as a manservant. Though (if we believe Lucy Kahn) non-heterosexual relationships are relatively common in this Britain, they are officially forbidden under strict laws. Carmichael does not have the wealth or rank that members of the "Farthing" group have.

His superior's hints that Carmichael's relationship will be made public if he does not end further investigation is enough to get him to stop.

10. At the conclusion of "Farthing", to which country have David and Lucy Kahn moved?

Answer: Canada

The plan of the Farthing Set to have David Kahn arrested and charged for the murder is foiled when Inspector Carmichael tips the couple off to the impending arrest. They escape and begin their journey to Canada thanks to some assistance from one of Lucy's friends. Accompanying them are four young children--Jewish refugees from the continent--who are posing as their children.

Source: Author bernie73

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Is it a mystery or an alternate history story? It is both when you are talking about Jo Walton's "Farthing" (2006), the first novel in the "Small Change" trilogy. Warning: Spoilers are included.

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