The Ten Books I Would Choose If I Were Marooned Quiz

Answer: Julian Carax

I had this sitting on my shelf, unread, for several years. Finally, I broke down and started reading. I was immediately enthralled, and the more I read the more I was pulled into the story. I actually caught myself inhaling suddenly as the main story ended, and feeling actual happiness with the epilogue. Not many books do that.

I might note, this is a historical novel, taking place in Barcelona in 1945 and subsequent years, following the Spanish Civil War.

Answer: Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking-glass

Mathematician and logician Dodgson wrote under his pen name, Lewis Carroll, and created two of the best known books in the world. They have been translated into at least 174 languages.

"The Spider Sapphire Mystery"/"The Secret of the Old Clock" are from the Nancy Drew series, authored by Carolyn Keene.

"The Tower Treasure"/"The House on the Cliff" are from the Hardy Boys series, written by Franklin Dixon.

"The Golden Compass"/"The Amber Spyglass" were written by Philip Pullman.

Answer: Buck

Buck ultimately embraces his wild instincts, allowing him to survive in the wilderness. "White Fang" was also written by London, as a companion story. White Fang starts his life as a wolfdog, and the story follows him to domestication.

White Fang and Black Tooth were also dog paw puppets on the Soupy Sales TV show in the 1960s.

Lassie was a collie who had her own movie and TV series.

Answer: Star Beast

This was probably the first science fiction book I read, and it hooked me. I actually found a copy not too long ago, and although it smacks of an earlier time with dialogue and technology (or lack of) it was still entertaining. Lummox had been brought back from an interstellar trip by an ancestor of the protagonist teenager John Charles Stuart XI, and has been growing steadily through the generations. Spoiler alert - ultimately when an alien visit to Earth proclaims that Lummox is actually Hroshii royalty - well...

Answer: A Stone for Danny Fisher

I was rather young when I read this - oh, my! Nevertheless, crime, violence and loose women were still well put together, enough that I would take it with me.

By the way, "The Devil to Pay" actually is another Robbins novel. The other two titles are not.

Answer: Paul

The "Man in Black", Johnny Cash, wrote this fictional account of Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul, the most ardent proponent of Christianity. The book follows Paul from his early days as a strong enemy of the new religion, to his miraculous conversion when he was thrown from his horse and blinded by a bright light, to his mission of carrying the word of God throughout the Roman Empire.

Johnny Cash has always had an affinity to Paul's experience of salvation, dealing with his own demons. He was drawn to write this book, even though it was put aside for some time. He was encouraged to complete it. It isn't as polished as some professional writers might have worded it, but you sense the love and devotion Johnny Cash feels towards his subject.

Answer: C. Day Lewis

If you figured out that his son is Daniel Day Lewis, you are correct.

This is the translation I used in high school Latin class, lo these many years ago. It is out of print. Although I remember it fondly, there have been reviewers who are less ardent, but translations can always be tricky. I'd still take this edition...

Answer: Wicked

"Wicked" is the story of OZ from the perspective of Elphaba, the wicked witch of the West. The Broadway musical has a happy ending, unlike the book, which ends tragically.

Answer: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

The first book has also been published as "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". All four listed are actual titles in the seven volume series.

Although written for young readers, the series has a large adult following as well. My grandson talked me into reading the first book, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Answer: Outlander

"Dragonfly in Amber" is the second book in the series. Sassenach is the term used on Claire Randall, a term originally of derision meaning English, not Scottish.

Bonnie Prince Charlie did play a part in the Scotland into which Claire found herself, during the Jacobite rebellion of the mid-1700s.

Although these books can be considered to be in the category of "bodice ripper", Gabaldon takes great lengths to be historically correct, elevating it above the "norm". For readers, this can mean 4-5 years between books.