Novels of the 1950s Trivia Quiz

Answer: "Love Is Eternal" Irving Stone

"Love Is Eternal" is a biographical novel that explores the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd. Stone specialized in this type of writing.

"The Silver Chalice" traces the path of a chalice or holy grail that Jesus used to drink from at the last supper.

"The Robe" which actually published in 1942 hit the best seller list when it was filmed. It traces the robe worn by Jesus after his crucifixion.

"The Cardinal" was not only the best seller of 1950, it ranked fourth in 1951 also. Henry Morton Robinson was a professor at Cornell University and an editor of "Reader's Digest" that ran "The Cardinal" as one of its first condensed books.The plot of "The Cardinal" is a series of incidents in which a young man progresses from child to priest to bishop to cardinal and maintains his religious convictions. Robinson took a sleeping pill and died of second and third degree burns when he fell asleep in the bathtub. He authored several volumes of poetry and some non-fiction but is most known for "The Cardinal".

Answer: "From Here to Eternity" James Jones

James Jones brought his World War Two experience to his novel and soared to the top of the USA best seller list. Jones' novel was part one of a trilogy that included "The Thin Red Line" and "The Whistle". Jones spent part of his earnings to establish an unsuccessful writer's colony in Marshall, Illinois.

Wouk's "Caine Mutiny" ranked second in sales to "Eternity".

"The Cruel Sea" dealt with the British fleet during World War Two in the North Atlantic.

A war hero is accused of crimes in Marquard's "Melville Goodwin, USA".

Answer: "Catcher in the Rye" J.D. Salinger

In spite of the fact that "Catcher in the Rye" influenced generations of writers, Salinger was never accorded either of these prestigious recognitions. "Catcher in the Rye" may be the first exposure of high schoolers to the upper tiers of literature. It may be related to Salinger's passion for privacy and disdain for self-promotion.

Faulkner won the Nobel 1949 and the Pulitzer in 1954.

Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel in 1962.

Hemingway won the Pulitzer in 1953 and the Nobel in 1954.

Answer: Cardinal Francis Spellman

Spellman's novel sold well but got luke-warm appraisals by critics who felt it was amateurish. His name on the cover helped sales abetted by the fact that all profits were donated to charity.

A disfigured war veteran is denied his request to adopt a child as he is not a Catholic and the child is. Instead he becomes a friend and mentor to the child.

Answer: "Not As A Stranger" Morton Thompson

Thompson's novel probably increased the public's taste for books with medical themes that spilled over into films and television. The plot follows a group of medical students through school, hospital internships, and eventually their careers as doctors.

Answer: Marjorie Morningstar

"Marjorie Morningstar" was a rambling tale of the trials and tribulations of an aspiring actress. She anglicizes "Morgenstern" to "Morningstar". Along the way she loses focus on her goal.

"Something of Value" is by Robert Roark and portrays the social and racial unrest in Africa during the 1950s.

"Ten North Fredrick" is by John O'Hara. "Ten North Frederick" focuses on an ambitious American politician and his patrician wife, rebellious children, and mistress.

Sloan Wilson's "Man in the Grey Flannel Suit" is a stinging indictment of corporate life. It has evolved into the language, as the upper echelons of business are often referred to as 'suits'.

Answer: Frances Parkinson Keyes

Between 1919 and 1960 Frances Parkinson Keyes produced over sixty books, mostly novels but including biography, poetry, cook books, and inspirational books. Just during the 1950s she hit the top ten list with "Joy Street" (1950), "Steamboat Gothic" (1952), "The Royal Box" (1954), "Blue Camellia" (1957), and "Victorine" (1959).

Answer: Peyton Place

Metalious based her novel on her experiences in living in several New England towns. It was bold, sexy, and too close to long held secrets. When critics were not kind to her, she said "If I'm a lousy writer, then an awful lot of people have lousy taste". A few other less successful novels followed. Grace Metalious died of alcoholism at age forty.

"On the Beach" by Nevil Shute is a grim novel on the end of the world. "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov had its share of controversy due to its theme of pedophilia. Howard Spring was a popular Welsh writer whose 1948 book "The Houses in Between" was in the top ten of 1952.

Answer: "Don't Go Near the Water" William Brinkley (1956)

"Don't Go Near the Water" was an episodic novel taking place during World War Two on a Pacific island. It was the number one best seller of 1956.

"Auntie Mame" told the story of a young nephew's life with his flamboyant aunt.

A naive backwoods hillbilly is drafted into the army and its consequences is the plot of "No Time for Sergeants".

Kay Thompson wrote a series of books starring Eloise, a six-year-old who lives at the 'tippytop' of the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The series was written for children but appreciated by adults as well.

Answer: Objectivism

To really understand objectivism is difficult in limited space. In summary it includes laissez faire capitalism, rejection of collectivism, relies on logic, the pursuit of self-interest, and respect for human rights.

Rand's central character, John Galt, embodies these ideals. The original edition was nearly 1400 pages. The Ayn Rand Institute, that attempts to carry on Rand's work, claim that Rand's novels and writings have steady sales, as popular today as when first brought to the public.