Works by UK Nobel Laureates in Literature Quiz

Answer: Rudyard Kipling

Kimball O'Hara - "Kim" - was an orphan living in poverty in Lahore whose life evolved to encompass espionage and spiritual enlightenment. The book remains one of the most popular works by Rudyard Kipling, a leading author of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Many of his works involved the British Empire, which has often led to controversy when assessing his legacy.

Answer: John Galsworthy

"The Forsyte Saga" is a collection of works charting the financial and emotional ups and downs of the Forsyte family over several generations. John Galsworthy also campaigned for various causes, including prison reform and women's rights.

Answer: T S Eliot

"The Waste Land" is one of the major poems of the twentieth century. Thomas Stearns Eliot was born in the United States and moved to England at the age of 25. He later became a British subject.

Answer: Bertrand Russell

"A History of Western Philosophy" received mixed reviews when published but contributed to the award of Bertrand Russell's Nobel prize. He was also known as a political activist and pacifist, and was co-author of "Principia Mathematica".

Answer: Winston Churchill

Churchill is best known as a politican and wartime leader. In view of those distractions, it is perhaps understandable that it took him roughly twenty years to write "A History of the English-Speaking Peoples". This covered the period from the Roman invasion of Britain to the beginning of the First World War.

Answer: William Golding

Ralph and "Piggy" are leading characters in "The Lord of the Flies", a book about the terrifying challenges faced by a group of boys marooned on an island. Later, William Golding won the Booker Prize for "Rites of Passage".

Answer: V S Naipaul

Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul was born in Trinidad. His writings included early comic works followed by more serious material later. "In a Free State" compomises three short stories alongside the main piece.

Answer: Harold Pinter

"The Birthday Party" was one of Harold Pinter's "comedies of menace". The first London run of the play closed after eight performances, although its (and Pinter's) reputation soon recovered. Pinter was also a successful screenwriter and director.

Answer: Doris Lessing

"The Good Terrorist" charts the almost-accidential passage of Alice from merely being a drifter to becoming a terrorist. Doris Lessing was the oldest recipient when she was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2007 at the age of 88.

Answer: Kazuo Ishiguro

Kazuo Ishiguro was born in Japan and moved to the United Kingdom as a child. This pairing brings a distinct perspective to his writing. "The Remains of the Day" is written in the first person as a butler recalls his life and his relationships with key figures.