Sunday Times/Faber Literary Quiz

[phoenixxx]

Are we all ready? At first glance it looks a stinker! Blondes 4: Bruce Gold? Drinks 3 is Alice Picture 1 is Michael Palin

[Flapwing]

And Marriages 4 might be a Maugham story...

[phoenixxx]

I had thought of Wooster for Boobies 5 but again, not sure which story. I have most of them here so will try to work my way through them! May be morning before I surface!

[whiskypriest]

Have found (via trusty Google!) reference to a short story by Wodehouse called Jeeves and the Greasy Bird,alternatively titled (or within a volume called) 'Plum Pie'). In it Bertie gets engaged to Trixie Waterbury whose uncle is a theatrical agent who gets her work as, and I quote: (fat) pantomime fairies. Ergo: I think Boobies 5 must be Bertie.

[LG123]

Excellent work Whiskypriest - I love Jeeves & Wooster but don't even remember that story! Thought that one sounded like Bertie...

[phoenixxx]

I have just found the same story - took me longer because it is the last story in an omnibus 'The World of Jeeves'. Well done whiskey priest!

[whiskypriest]

I think we can all give ourselves a pat on the back for our performance this year. Thanks to everyone for making it such fun. I agree whole heartedly with Phoenixxx, its not the winning it is indeed the taking part. I much prefer the journey to the arrival. The last three appear to be real stinkers but I shall continue the hunt in earnest.

[LionelRoars]

To Barry Jones: your words are unnecessarily harsh. Cyber communities, I have found, can often be just as fulfilling as real relationships. Nevertheless, your sentiments are sound. Perhaps like you, I stumbled upon this webpage when once more googling the website containing the questionnaire. I have consequently (and inadvertantly) gathered 3 answers I previously lacked and intend to divulge none of mine which have not already been so needlessly advertised here. I'm sure there are other onlookers in my ranks contributing just as little. In the scheme of things this really is a pity to the integrity of the entire competition. Could not your answer-swapping be relocated to a less conspicuous area of the world wide web such as a social networking site? Facebook would be ideal. Myspace another possibility You could start a group sharing information - still accessable to all but less conspicuous. These would surely be preferable to all involved - those discussing for fun as well as those competing for real.

P.S. a clue for boobies in my feudal spirit...

P.P.S: And please, no anagrams! Nor is LionelRoars a Bore!

[Flapwing]

To be frank, Lionelroars, nobody asked your opinion.

[michealk]

anyone else finding births 1 really dificult. google just wants all the mum's to die in childbirth!

[phoenixxx]

Both Births 1 and 3 elude me. If anyone has any ideas I will willingly look them up - I just don't know where to start!

[bramblecat]

Just want to apologise for making only one negative-sounding contribution (though I think it was right). Also to apologise for such a small contribution. I've just been away too much. But, I'm now going on holiday loaded down with reference books, so will make a much better effort. Thanks to all for sharing their immensely well-read knowledge. I hope to help.

[Gortnalibert]

Marriages 3 Mr Prettiman (to Ms. Granham in Fire Down Below by William Golding). Rites of Passage describes Granham as the �daughter of a late canon of Exeter� and Prettiman as a �testy political theorist� with a �detestation of the church�. Marriage takes place in the �roaring forties�. Any reciprocal assistance with Births 1 or 3?

[Gortnalibert]

Sorry...suggested answer was to Marriages 4 not 3

[Gortnalibert]

Births 3 possibly Dr. David Henry in the Memory Keeper's Daugher, but can anyone verify the violinist reference for the woman giving birth (his wife, Norah Henry)?

[phoenixxx]

I have re-read the opening to The Memory Keepers' Daughter but there is no mention of Norah ever playing the violin. I wonder if it refers to one of the Russian classics, which unfortunately, I am not converse with.

I think Mr Prettiman sounds a good bet.. Will attempt top verify it today. Well done- I thought we had all given up!

[LG123]

Births 1 is confusing - does everyone think this is refers to an Author or to a character who is a Writer within a Novel?

[Flapwing]

I assumed an author who wrote an autobiography - foe example someone writing of their family's experiences in the 2nd World War.

[michealk]

I have searched novels high and low including all the russian and african writer's novels. I just wonder if this is a real writer and part of their biography. I would be interested in what others think?
I am still stuck on the wretched vilonist and snowstorms.
Thanks to all those who have contributed. I have spent quite a lot of time checking many of the answers and haven't come across anything people have helped with that hasn't been correct.

[Bonnin]

Pictures 6. What about Don Foster ? ('Author Unknown. Tales of a Literary Detective')

[Bonnin]

Re Barry Jones. I'm one of the 'half witted rabble' I have been doing this quiz for years and years in my amateurish way, (and its predecessor Black Swan), but am two weeks late starting this year for various reasons. I get a lot of fun out of trying to find the answers myself, and trying to be the first to get a particular answer - trouble is most of the time I'm too slow and someone beats me to it - but i live in hope..

I can't imagine anyone just using this site to cheat. I would'nt know what to do with �10,000 worth of books - I've collected a lot over the years anyway - just trying to find the answers before i had a computer! The fun is in the doing. Bonnin