The Last Page Trivia Quiz

Answer: "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson

"Treasure Island" is told from the perspective of youngster Jim Hawkins, who is inadvertently pulled into a dangerous adventure when he comes into the possession of a treasure map. Written by Robert Louis Stevenson, it was first published in 1881-2 as part of the serial publication "Young Folks". Stevenson subsequently published his story as a book in 1883.

Amazingly (to me), there have been over *50* film and television adaptations of "Treasure Island", the first a silent film released in 1918. (source Wikipedia)

Answer: "The Time Machine" by H.G. Wells

The story of "The Time Machine" is narrated at the beginning and end by a (technically) unnamed narrator, one of a number of dinner guests listening to a story of time travel as told by the (also unnamed) 'Time Traveller'. The narration from chapters three to twelve are taken over by the Time Traveller as he tells his tale.

I say 'technically' because at one point the Time Traveller mentions that he sees "Hillyer for a moment; but he passed like a flash" as he returns from the future. The thought is that the named Mr. Hillyer was the same person as the narrator, although no confirmation of this is given in the story.

H.G. Wells published "The Time Machine" in 1895. The two flowers mentioned in the quote were purportedly brought back from the future by the Time Traveller, and they serve as a reminder to the narrator that the future is not set in stone, and not to live as though it were.

Answer: "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontė

"Wuthering Heights" has two primary narrators: the first is Mr. Lockwood, whose narration begins and ends the book; the second is Nelly Dean, the housekeeper who tells Mr. Lockwood the convoluted story of the Earnshaws and Heathcliff. The timespan of the story extends from the adoption of Heathcliff into the Earnshaw family in 1771 through to Mr. Lockwood's arrival (1801) and return visit (1802).

The tragic story was written over the winter of 1845-6 and published in 1847. Emily Brontė wrote it under the pen name of Ellis Bell. A year later, Emily died, at the age of 30. Her sister Charlotte republished "Wuthering Heights" in 1850 under Emily's real name.

Answer: Great Expectations

Charles Dickens lived from 1812 to 1870 and was a prolific English writer, penning 15 novels as well as hundreds of short stories, articles and lectures. "Great Expectations" was one of his later novels, published as a weekly serial from December 1860 until August 1861. Written in the first person, the story follows the life of Pip, an orphan who receives an anonymous gift of money with the purpose of making him into a gentleman in London. Dickens wrote a different ending for his tale after a fellow author (Edward Bulwer-Lytton) made comments about how sad it was.

Answer: "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain

"Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" was first published in 1884 and acts as a sequel to Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1876). The story is told from the perspective of 'Huck' Finn, a boy of about 13 years old. From their previous adventure, Tom and Huck have come into some money and poor Huck has been relegated to the guardianship of the Widow Douglas. When his wayward (and abusive) father shows up and regains custody over Huck, though, it prompts him to fake his own death and set off on a new adventure down the Mississippi River.

Despite its decidedly anti-slavery tone, "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" continues to be controversial for its blatant display of racial stereotypes (as a normal way of things of the times) and its use of colloquialisms like the word 'nigger.'

As a narrative voice, Huckleberry Finn not only tells this story, but is also the voice of two subsequent Mark Twain books: "Tom Sawyer Abroad" and "Tom Sawyer, Detective".

Answer: "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde's only novel, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" was published in 1890, originally in "Lippincott's Monthly Magazine"'s June and July issues. After some revisions and additions, it was republished as a book in 1891.

The story is told in the third person, and centers around the young Dorian Gray, who has had a portrait made of him by the artist Basil Hallward. After meeting with Lord Wotton and hearing of his life philosophy (pursuing beauty and fulfillment of the senses), Dorian wishes that he would never age, and that rather, his picture would age in his place. His wish is granted, but it also shows the effects of his every sin on his soul.

Answer: "The Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane

"The Red Badge of Courage" was published as a serial in 1894 as an abridged work, then in full as a book in 1895. Crane received much praise for his work's realistic depiction of the civil war, which is interesting considering that he himself had never participated in war.

The story follows a young soldier in the Union army who flees from battle, then seeks to regain his honor by earning a wound (the 'red badge' of the title), acting as a standard-bearer the next time his regiment enters battle.

Answer: "Uncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly" by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel was published in 1852, after a 40-week run in an abolitionist serial publication that began the previous year. The book is considered by some historians to be one of the (many) factors that led to the civil war.

The story revolves around a slave named Uncle Tom, and the various characters in his life. Stowe's novel had such an impact on the society of the day (pre- and post-civil war), that it came to have the distinction of being the best-selling novel of the 19th century.

Answer: "A Study in Scarlet" by Arthur Conan Doyle

The translation of the Latin phrase is: "The people hiss at me, but I applaud myself at home, when I contemplate the coins in my strong-box."

"A Study in Scarlet" was the novel that introduced Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to the world. It was published in 1887. Eventually, Sherlock Holmes would be immortalized in an additional three novels and 56 short stories. In 1914, Arthur Conan Doyle authorized a film to be made of "A Study in Scarlet", but, unfortunately, this silent film is among those considered 'lost'.

Answer: "From the Earth to the Moon" by Jules Verne

Jules Verne's book "From the Earth to the Moon" was published in 1865, and is among the first of what would one day become a large genre (space travel sci-fi). It tells of the efforts of a trio of men to construct a cannon capable of shooting a manned capsule to the moon.

Unfortunately, the ultimate fate of the men is never learned (unless you read the sequel, "Around the Moon" (1870)).