"The Congress of Rough Riders" - John Boyne Quiz

Answer: Buffalo Bill

William Cody was born in the Wild West in 1846 and became famous as he grew older. Nowadays he's better known as "Buffalo Bill", the seasoned wild west adventurer who founded a circus. "Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World" it was called. John Boyne does a marvelous job of portraying the Wild West, and Buffalo Bill's life across the lawless frontier.

Answer: He's a decendant

William Cody was born in London on January 1st 1970. His father Isaac (named after his great-grandfather, Buffalo Bill's father) married a much younger woman and seven months later they had William. Isaac decided to name the child after HIS great-grandfather; it seemed logical. Young William barely remembers his mother; she eloped with the family GP in 1974.

As he grew people often took Isaac to be his grandfather, due to the 52-year age gap. Isaac is an ex-jailbird who runs a decorating business.

In his spare time he tells his only son about their famous ancestor. So Young William grows up listening to enthralling tales about Indian raids, Civil War battles, the Pony Express, and of course the unforgettable "Congress of Rough Riders" circus.

Answer: The Pony Express

The Pony Express did not last very long, despite the good work of Bill and the other riders. The idea was for the riders to carry mail on horseback from Missouri to California. The outbreak of the civil war, plus withdrawal of funding ended the operation quite quickly.

But at least it gave Bill the chance to see part of the Wild West before it became less wild. Afterwards he started scouting for General Custer and hunting buffalo, which earned him a new nickname.

Answer: Japan

William junior and his father are never very close. The only thing they really have in common is interest in the Wild West and their ancestor's adventures. As Isaac's gotten older he has become more irritable and occasionally violent. So William does not hesitate to leave England when the opportunity arises. He flies to Japan with a friend. (Ironically the hostel they stay at in Tokyo has a small photo of Buffalo Bill!) He has little or no contact with Isaac (and who can blame him?) and has no plans to return to England. Even after his mate flies back.

N.B. Unusual for John Boyne, but there's a small plot-hole here. William mentions keeping in contact with friends via email - which wasn't available to the public in the late 1980s or early 1990s.

Answer: False

William has done well in Japan. At first as a teacher, then as a writer for newspapers, and he even met a Japanese woman who takes to him. He is so happy he will probably stay in Japan for good. Then one day he receives a letter from Isaac. The gist is: please come home, I don't have much longer left to live. To make matters worse, William's new girl refuses to come to England with him.

But why? They've been together for almost two years now. She shakes her head; she's superstitious and convinced setting foot in England will mean the death of her. Poor William makes a difficult decision: he returns to London after all...to find Isaac in good health! (He actually meant he didn't have much longer to live because he was in his mid-70s now.) William is understandably very angry. Isaac has decided to set up a circus similar to their ancestor's one.

But he needs his son as a partner, convinced no bank will loan money to an old man. Having the same name will probably help pull in the crowds, too. Naturally William angrily refuses, and Isaac hits him.

It's no wonder he doesn't speak to his father for years.

Answer: Abraham Lincoln

During his career as a scout, circus-owner and solider the real Buffalo Bill met a lot of famous people. This story covers some of those meetings. But even though President Lincoln is mentioned a few times, before and after his untimely demise, Bill never met him.

Answer: France

Using lots of detective work and sheer determination, our modern-day hero finally succeeds in tracking down his former girlfriend in Paris. Contrary to reader expectations she is actually delighted to see him. She promises never to leave him again; it turns out she was just afraid for her life when William wanted to take her to England. Neither of their parents approve of their relationship, but they're too happy together to care.

After about a year they get married.

Answer: Trapeze Artists

Halfway through this novel a third story begins, seeming to have no connection to either William Cody. It's about a family of circus performers in Victorian England. We read about the lives, loves and near-fatal accidents of the father, mother and daughter who dazzle audiences with their trapeze act. William Cody senior meets the daughter during one of his visits to England and they become "friends".

She meets him shortly before he leaves for the USA and tells him she's with child. His reaction is not what she'd expected; he will not stay in England and marry her.

Although he's hardly seen Mrs. Cody or their children for years he's never considered divorce for a moment. He hurriedly leaves, trying not look guilty.

Answer: None of these

After Bill Cody Senior abruptly leaves England, his lover decides to have his baby after all. On her own. She calls her son "Sam" and gives him his illegitimate father's surname. But despite having a devoted mother, young Sam grows up to be a criminal.

In 1918, before Sam's jailed for ten years for murder, his wife gives birth to a boy called Isaac. Sadly he turns out to be little better than his father, but at least Isaac decides to goes straight after leaving prison. Years later he works at a bar and meets a much-younger girl who's attracted to ex-cons. Soon they have a son called William.

Answer: A burglar kills his wife

William has never been happier. He and his new wife now live in Denver with their new son Shane and careers they're both happy with. William has even visited the grave-site of his ancestor and namesake. But one night after taking Shane for a walk he returns to find his wife dead.

A burglar had sneaked in after William left, not realising the house wasn't empty. Eventually he's jailed but it's not much comfort. Having nothing to live for in the US, William junior returns to London; his ancient father is now genuinely dying. On his death-bed, Isaac finally confesses why he told his son the Buffalo Bill stories all those years.

It was the only way he knew how to make a connection with the child he never expected to have. He got angry when William got older and less interested in cowboys and Indians.

It's supposedly a kind of apology. William now lives in his childhood home, vowing to be a much better father.