Literary trivia . . . name that book!

Penelope · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 4:34 pm Post subject:

No - wrong - that old lady with the jewell was called Rose.

I have no idea......really.

Saffron · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 4:45 pm Post subject:

The Bad Seed by William March! I never read the book, but have seen the movie. I was thrown off by reading a somewhat negative movie review and I thought it couldn't be the right one. I'd also forgotten the names of the characters, so the Aunt Monica didn't help. So, Ralph, did I get it?
Saffron

ralphinlaos · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject:

You got it, Saffron. Congratulations! How did you figure it out; one of the clues must have jogged something in your memory.

The Bad Seed, by William March, published in 1954, was a huge success, selling over one million copies. It was then made into a play which was a big hit on Broadway and around the world, starring Nancy Kelly as the mother (Christine) and Patty McCormack as the daughter (Rhoda). Then a successful movie, with Kelly and McCormack recreating their Broadway roles (both were nominated for Academy Awards, but Eileen Heckert, who played the mother of the little boy whom Rhoda murdered, won the Oscar).

The ending of the book/play was changed for the movie. In the book and play, the mother dies and Rhoda lives, to go on pursuing her murderous activities. But in the movie, thanks to the decency code ("evil cannot go unpunished"), the mother lives and little Rhoda is drowned (she is down on the pier where she killed the little boy when the pier is struck by lightening). Divine retribution.

The made-for-TV movie kept the original ending (mother dies, daughter lives).

The book is still available on Amazon and holds up very well today; a classic study of evil disguised as virtue and what tangled webs we weave.

O.K., heres a new one:

"Hello, Dolly! I heard that my nasty old brother was doing you wrong and I'm here to help."

Who is the lady doing the speaking?

NAME THAT BOOK!

Ralph

Penelope · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 1:23 pm Post subject:

The Colour Purple!!!

ralphinlaos · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 1:06 pm Post subject:

Sorry, Penny, it's not "The Color Purple." Hello, Dolly does not apply to that book and the book I am looking for is a much more famous novel.

Ralph

Penelope · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject:

Not film-buff like you. Love Woopie Goldburg.......

I will think again!!!

ralphinlaos · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 6:19 am Post subject:

O.K., here's clue #2:

"Well, she's no better than she should be, that's for sure. I don't know what is happening to this household. A fine gentleman of a husband and here she is traipsin' all over the city with another man . And the little boy, caught right in the middle. The very idea! She'll come to a bad end, that one. You mark my words."

NAME THAT BOOK.

Ralph

Penelope · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 7:10 am Post subject:

Let's see....

This second clue sounds like 'Anna Karenina' but since she was called 'Anna' and not 'Dorothy' (ie Hello Dolly) that can't be right.

Am I thinking along the right lines - with the Dorothy?

Same story - different setting......hmmmmm......can you smell burning?
That's my brain.....me thinking........

ralphinlaos · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 12:35 pm Post subject:

You're right, Penny! Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I knew you'd know this one.

And the first clue was a good one - "Hello, Dolly," was Anna's greeting to her sister in law, Dolly.

Ralph

Penelope · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject:

I am so puffed up with pride.......

Hooray

Ask me another!!!!!!

ralphinlaos · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 2:57 pm Post subject:

As well you should be, Penny (puffed up, that is). But remember what pride goeth before . . .

Next book:

"It's nobody's business but mine; I will decide who inherits my property and who doesn't. But, they are getting suspicious; I'll have to be more discreet."

NAME THAT BOOK!

Ralph

Saffron · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 4:26 pm Post subject:

Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens?

ralphinlaos · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 2:47 am Post subject:

Sorry, Saffron, it's not "Martin Chuzzlewit" - which, I am ashamed to say, I have never read - even though Dickens is one of my favorites.

Anyway, that first clue was not very good - here's a better clue:

"Handsome, honorable and distinguished/ugly, repugnant and repulsive."

Ralph

Penelope · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject:

Saffron has got me thinking in terms of Dickens:

These clues fit 'Bleak House'.

What do you think Saffron? Could be John Galsworthy- Forsyte Saga too.

Anyway - I bet it's one of the Victorians.

ralphinlaos · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:02 am Post subject:

You're getting close; I was afraid that last clue would give it away.

Ralph


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