Literary Quiz

[Newby]

Is anybody out there doing the Sunday Times / Faber Literary Quiz this year and, if so, would they like to pool information?

[greatsage]

OK OK. I have obtained a text copy of Murder Must Advertise. Lord Wimsey posing as 'Death Bredon' wins the match with a belting six into the pavilion roofing which slides down and breaks a bottle of lemonade. Two policemen turn up and arrest him on suspicion of murder...

Ergo Answer to Sport 5 Is most definitely Murder Must Advertise

[mrs p]

Jewellery 2: am I right in thinking that platinum & gold is quite a modern ring? And why wd someone write a thank you - doesn't sound like an engagement ring - perhaps some kind of inheritance? I'm also puzzling over Statues 4: looting, not stealing, sounds like a war-time thing. Or a children's adventure.  

[Newby]

I've googled a reference to 53 Days by Perec in relation to stealing an ancient statue... I've no access to a bookshop where I live (the wilds of Co Cavan) so I can't check this out.

[Ray The Grey]

I have found a reference to Uncle Tom's Cabin with Legree urging Tom to throw his bible into the flames.

Is anyone able to check it out - if not I'll look later?

[Newby]

RAY I've looked up Uncle Tom's Cabin... Legree urges Tom to throw his bible in the fire but the pious little ******* refuses...so that ain't it. Good try though. Getting tougher isn't it?

[greatsage]

Yeah. I eliminated Uncle Tom a few days ago. I also thought The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon might be the one... but the fellow throws in the bible, and lets it burn to a crisp. Grr.

[Newby]

 I'm not sure about Playing the Moldovans at Tennis. Is that a definite?

[Ray The Grey]

No, it's not. I listened to it on talking tape from the library a year or so ago and I have not got a copy. I am trying to get time to check it.

I have a nagging idea it could be something like Brazzaville Beach, but there's no basis for that. I have read the book with it in - as for the one with the fire  - but I can't drag the answer from my brain...

[maxwellmarsh]

I don't think it's Playing the Moldovians at tennis - I have a copy and have flicked through it but it seems to be mostly an account of his travels to undertake a wager and not fiction like all these clues are.

[phoenixxx]

Thanks for your ideas Ray the Grey but I have just Skimmed Brazzaville Beach - although Boyd gives precise details of clothing worn I cannot find any reference to a tennis match.

Like you - I'm sure I know the fiere reference but am running out of ideas!

[phoenixxx]

Has anyone read Colin Dexter's Morse books? Wondered if Opera 2 was the occasion when Morse attends the opera and a woman is murdered. No idea which book though.

[Ray The Grey]

Thanks.

The tennis isn't Tony Hawkes. The fire is almost certainly not Montag and the books questions almost certainly isn't Northanger Abbey.

I'm not sure about Childermass as these books seem mainly to be available in the US.

Most other answers seem to check out though.

I'm sure you're aware of this website, but I just found it and you can search the text of classic books:

http://www.online-literature.com/author_index.php

Anyone else had any luck?

[Bron X]

Taking day off tomorrow to go to local library (small but you never know) and book shops - any hints as to which authors / books I could look up?

[greatsage]

I think Childermass is still a good 'shout'. Although I could be convinced otherwise. Puffin promote Johnny Dixon books on their UK website...

[greatsage]

Tell a lie... they don't. Went to wrong site. Maybe it is a very American thing then...

[mrs p]

I think Books 2 refers to Pride & Prejudice: Vol 1, ch,11 - Miss Bingley tries to impress Darcy by apparently reading the second volume of his book.

[Ray The Grey]

Got One - Opera 2 - Ann Veronica - HG Wells - found the part in the book - Chapter 9 Discords

[Ray The Grey]

Can anyone look into Cyril Connolly for the Balkan Sobranie please - as he was an author and quite donnish and smoked them - possibly him or in one of his books - or even in Orwell who was a friend of his - I won't have time for a few days?

[phoenixxx]

Have looked up Connolly in an Orwell biography . Connolly states: 'My fat cigar-smoking persona must have been a surprise to him.'
So unfortunately not Connolly.

[phoenixxx]

Just before I go to work - some thoughts. Tobacco 2 - Lucky Jim? Or any David Lodge? I'm trying to think who may have had 'rooms'. Sport 3 - Bertie Wooster or one of his chums? Statues 4 - vague recollections about divers on a wreck - any ideas?

Will try to check Pride and Prejudice during the day. Good luck all!