Anita and Me Trivia Quiz

Answer: Daniel Defoe

'Moll Flanders' was published in 1722 and tells the story of the title character, from her birth in Newgate Prison to her eventual redemption in her old age and a settled life. Her journey is far from easy, with various marriages and other relationships, several children (mostly abandoned) and a living made from theft. The story takes place in England and America, where she is transported as an alternative to hanging. The story is said to have been inspired by that of a real woman Defoe met in the prison.

Defoe is probably best known for 'Robinson Crusoe', also based on a true story, which came out in 1719. All of Defoe's novels were written over a short period of time - between 1719 and 1724 he published eight of them.

Answer: Arnold Bennett

Arnold Bennett was an English author from Staffordshire, and the 'Five Towns' of the title refer to the Potteries area of the county. The story focuses on Anna Tellwright, who has a strict father who keeps a tight hold on the family finances. Unknown to Anna, she has been left property and shares by her grandmother - an inheritance which her father has carefully guarded and grown for her. She is shocked to find the problems caused to those who are now her tenants by her father's parsimonious ways.

Bennett was a prolific author, but 'Anna', published in 1902, is likely to be the only novel of his that many of us could name. Among his other works is a 'family saga' about the Clayhanger family. He also wrote a book called 'The Gates of Wrath', which made me look twice to make sure I hadn't mistaken it for a better known Steinbeck novel.

Answer: Eleanor H Porter

'Pollyanna' was published in 1913. The story about the orphan who is an eternal optimist, always looking for the positive in any situation, has become a classic. Even if you've never (like me) read the actual book, you can hardly fail to have heard about Pollyanna and her 'glad game'. Porter herself wrote one sequel, 'Pollyanna Grows Up', and other authors have written books based on Porter's original creation.

Porter wrote and published numerous short stories and books, including novels for adults, romances and adventure stories, but 'Pollyanna' remains her best known creation.

Answer: Jane Austen

This is one of Jane Austen's lesser known works, and one which wasn't published until many years after her death. Although the book was complete, Austen herself never tried to get it into print.

The story focuses on Lady Susan Vernon, who behaves in a way unexpected in a woman of that time. She seduces a married man and flirts outrageously with a much younger man. Lady Susan trades on her looks and is able to bewitch most men she meets. She eventually achieves her aim of marrying a man with money, but it seems probable that the marriage will not be happy as he is described as a 'fop' and 'insipid', not to mention being what we would now call a 'toy boy'.

Answer: Henry James

'Daisy Miller' is described as a novella, and is not normally included among James's major works like 'A Portrait of a Lady' (1881), 'The Bostonians' (1886) and 'The Turn of the Screw' (1898).

'Daisy Miller' was published in 1878 and tells the tale of a young American woman in Europe and her 'scandalous' behaviour in meeting young men alone. The contrast between the straight laced circles in which she moves and Daisy's own free and easy ways provides much of the tension. Sadly, Daisy pays a heavy price for her flouting of accepted standards.

Answer: Thomas Hardy

Originally published as a serial, the book came out in a single book in 1892. It is one of Hardy's later novels - only 'Jude the Obscure' came out after 'Tess', in 1895. After 'Jude', Hardy concentrated on his poetry.

The tragic story of Tess and her downfall begins with her father's belief that they are somehow related to a noble family, despite being from humble stock themselves. Tess goes to visit the supposed relatives, and is eventually seduced (or possibly raped) by the son of the house. Her husband leaves her when he discovers her past, and there is no happy ending for Tess.

Answer: Daphne du Maurier

Thanks to the Hitchcock film of 1940, this might just be the best known novel in the quiz. Daphne du Maurier also wrote 'Jamaica Inn' and 'My Cousin Rachel', while the films 'The Birds' and 'Don't Look Now' were based on two of her short stories.

'Rebecca', the novel, was published in 1938 and tells the story of an unworldly young woman who marries a widower - his first wife, the Rebecca of the title, has drowned following an accident. The new wife has to deal with the housekeeper, Mrs Danvers, who is still devoted to Rebecca and does her best to destroy the marriage and the second wife's self confidence. The novel has a twist which was not included in the film.

Answer: Elizabeth Gaskell

Elizabeth Gaskell was married to a minister at a Manchester church, and used the industry and poverty she saw around her for inspiration. 'Mary Barton' was her first novel, published in 1848, and she also wrote 'Cranford' (1851/3) and 'North and South' (1854/5), both of which have been adapted for televison.

'Mary Barton' is set among the working classes of Manchester in Victorian times, when life was a challenge for the poor. Mary herself finds work as a dressmaker and soon has two suitors, one of whom is murdered with the other being (falsely) accused of the crime. Thanks to Mary's efforts, his innocence is proved and the couple emigrate to Canada for a better life.

Answer: Charlotte Bronte

'Shirley' was one of only three novels of hers to be published in Charlotte's lifetime - the others are 'Jane Eyre' (1847) and 'Villette' (1853. 'Shirley' was published in 1849, having been written during a time of great personal grief for Charlotte with three of her siblings (Branwell, Emily and Anne) dying in quick succession.

Giving her heroine the name Shirley was an unusual move as the name was, at the time, a male one. The character of Shirley does not appear until some way into the novel, which begins with Caroline Henstone, later to become Shirley's best friend. Shirley herself is a wealthy and strong minded heiress, determined to put her money to good use. The story touches on the problems caused by the costs of war and the threat to workers' livelihoods from the early stages of industrialisation.

Answer: Meera Syal

The final novel is the one which gives the quiz its title, and is the work of Meera Syal, who is better known to most of us for her acting abilities. This is only one of her talents, though, as she has written plays, screenplays and television shows - 'Goodness Gracious Me', which began as a radio show before transferring to television being just one of them.

'Anita and Me' is Syal's first novel, published in 1996, and based on her own life as an Asian growing up in the UK and with an English 'best friend', the 'Anita' of the title. The novel has been adapted into a film, with Meera herself writing the screenplay, and into a stage play.