What If Trivia Quiz

Answer: Discworld

"Ook" is the only 'word' that the Librarian at the Unseen University, in Ankh-Morpork can say, after he is turned into an orang-utan by a stray spell. Being an ape suits him very well and he resists strenuously all attempts to turn him back into a human.

The Librarian (and a cast of assorted Wizards, Witches, and hangers on) are all found in the "Discworld" novels by Terry Pratchett. The first book, "The Colour of Magic" was first published in 1983. By 2010, more than 65 million copies of the various books in the series had been sold, in no less than 37 languages!

Answer: Robin Hobb's "Farseer Trilogy"

The "Farseer Trilogy" comprises "Assassin's Apprentice", "Royal Assassin" and "Assassin's Quest", published in 1995, 96, and 97 respectively. Robin Hobb is a pen name used by Megan Lindholm. The line in question is said by FitzChivalry as he looks back on his childhood and adolescence being used as a pawn in the machinations of the various royal factions.

Answer: The Chrysalids

"The Chrysalids" is by John Wyndham and was first published in 1955. It has also been released with the title "Re-Birth". The story was turned into a radio play by the BBC in 1982, and even into a song ("Crown of Creation" 1968) by Jefferson Airplane.

Answer: Jim di Griz

Slippery Jim di Griz is "The Stainless Steel Rat" in the series of books by Harry Harrison. Angelina is one of the greatest theives of all time, and Jim is offered a deal by the authorities; help them stop her or be severely punished for his own crimes.

Answer: The Cat Who Walks Through Walls

Written by Robert A. Heinlein, and first published in 1985, "The Cat Who Walks Through Walls" continued his "Future History" series.
Just in case you were wondering - Richard did in fact eat his commanding officer, but because the incident preyed on his mind so much in later years, the time line was altered to let him find a ration pack under the body, thus easing his mind.

Answer: Lensman

The "Lensman" books by E.E. Doc Smith were first published between 1934 and 1960. The first edition of the first in the series, "Triplanetary" was credited to Edward E. Smith Ph.D, which somehow seems to have a much nicer 'ring' to it than "doc" :-)

Answer: The Starks of Winterfell

The Starks of Winterfell are one of the families who feature in the series "A Song of Ice and Fire", written by George R. R. Martin. The first volume, "A Game of Thrones" was first published in 1996.

Answer: Kelewan

Kelewan is the world at the other end of the rift from Midkemia, in the "Riftwar" universe created by Raymond E. Feist. Mara appears in "Daughter of the Empire" (1987), "Servant of the Empire" (1989), and "Mistress of the Empire" (also 1989), which Feist wrote in collaboration with Janny Wurts.

Answer: Dorsai

"Dorsai!", also released under the title "The Genetic General" was first published in 1959. It was written by Gordon R Dickson, and was nominated for a Hugo Award. The series comprises eleven books, of which the last, "Antagonist" was published posthumously, in collaboration with David Wixon, in 2007.

The 'proper' title of the series is the "Childe Cycle" but it is often simply referred to as "Dorsai".

Answer: Caramon Majere

Written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, the "DragonLance Legends" trilogy - "Time of the Twins", "War of the Twins", and "Test of the Twins" follows on from the original "DragonLance Chronicles" trilogy, and were first published in 1986. They continue the story of the brothers Raistlin and Caramon Majere, as Raistlin turns to evil and attempts to take over not just the world, but the Gods too.

In the end it is only the steadfast love of his brother which saves his soul from a "fate worse than death".