So you know Baltimore's writers -- Part 2
After our last quiz about Baltimore’s literary heritage, readers Rick Connor and Sally Lemmon suggested creating a more contemporary version. So here it is, with one caveat: Some questions stray from Baltimore but stay with the state’s border.
1. This author’s heroine, often accompanied by a pet greyhound, is an expert at solving the city’s mysteries. After naming the author, get bonus points for naming the heroine and greyhound.
2. He got his start at The Sun, became a well-known commentator for The New York Times, and wrote a touching memoir about growing up here.
3. This prolific Baltimore author is a master at capturing the essence and eternal conflict of family life, through charming, quirky characters – and there’s nothing accidental about her skill.
4. Born in Baltimore, he became a respected computer scientist in academia. He jumped onto best -eller lists with a final lecture that brimmed with hope even though he was battling cancer.
5. Many credit this former insurance agent with creating the techno-thriller, and his politically charged stories ably blend real-life details about weaponry with compelling fictional characters.
6. This Baltimore-born author made a name with stirring books built around fights for independence in Israel and Ireland. He also wrote the screenplay for the movie Gunfight at the OK Corral.
7. His trilogy details Martin Luther King Jr.’s rise to prominence, as well as the role of the civil rights movement in redefining American society. Bonus points for naming his band.
8. By walking along Baltimore’s grittiest corners, this author has chronicled the challenges facing many city residents – in print and on television.
9. This author grew up in a Baltimore suburb and his novels carry a surreal air, whether they involve a golem or a group of Jews exiled to Alaska.
10. He has written mainly for movies, and is notorious for his early eccentric and shocking tales, even though he has won mainstream acclaim in recent years.
Leave a comment with your answers. We’ll print answers on the blog Wednesday.
Comments
1) author: Laura Lippman, heroine: Tess Monaghan, dog: Esskay
2) Russell Baker
3) Anne Tyler
4) Randy Pausch
5) Tom Clancy
6) Leon Uris
7) Taylor Branch
8) Michael Olesker
9) Michael Chabon
10) John Waters
Posted by: Emily Evans | November 23, 2008 8:08 AM
1. Laura Lippman; Tess Monaghan; Esskay
2. Russell Baker
3. Anne Tyler
4. Randy Pausch
5. Tom Clancy
6. Leon Uris
7. Taylor Branch
8. David Simon
9. Michabon
10. John Waters
Great clues!
Posted by: Judy B. | November 23, 2008 10:09 AM
Laura Lippman
Charles Osgood
Ann Tyler
Randy Pauch
Tom Clancy
Leon Uris
Taylor Branch
David Simon
clueless
John Waters
Posted by: Antonia | November 23, 2008 10:10 AM
1. Laura Lippmann - Tess Monaghan
2. Russell Baker
3. Anne Tyler
4. Randy Pausch
5. Tom Clancy
6. Leon Uris
7. Taylor Branch
8. David Simon
9. Michael Chabon
10. John Waters
Posted by: Jim | November 23, 2008 10:12 AM
1. Laura Lippman; Tess Monaghan; Esskay
2. Russell Baker
3. Anne Tyler
4. Randy Pausch
5. Tom Clancy
6. Leon Uris
7. Taylor Branch
8. David Simon
9. Michael Chabon
10. John Waters
Great clues1
Posted by: Judy | November 23, 2008 10:14 AM
Dave - I believe I know (almost) all of the answers to this one:
1) Laura Lippman; Tess Monaghan; Esskay; 2) Russell Baker; 3) Anne Tyler; 4) Randy Pausch; 5) Tom Clancy (not one of my favorites); 6) Leon Uris; 7) Taylor Branch (don't know his singing group); 8) David Simon;
9) Michael Chabon (definitely a favorite); 10) Barry Levinson.
Any prizes this time?
Posted by: Herman | November 23, 2008 10:57 AM
Great answers so far -- I'm going to make the quizzes tougher for such a well-read group!
I've been so busy trying to become fluent in French (it's hopeless) that I didn't want to commit to prizes. I'm still sending books to folks from the last quiz. But I'll see what we can come up with.
Posted by: Dave | November 23, 2008 11:07 AM
Dave - you threw in a couple of "toughies" but here are my best guesses.
1. Laura Lippman (Tess Monaghan and greyhound Esskay)
2. Russell Baker
3. Anne Tyler
4. Randy Pausch
5. Tom Clancy
6. Leon Uris
7. Taylor Branch
8. David Simon (The Wire)
9. David Wisniewski
10. John Waters
Posted by: Sally | November 23, 2008 3:58 PM
1. Laura Lippman; Tess Monaghan and Esskay
2. Russell Baker
3. Anne Tyler
4. Randy Pausch
5. Tom Clancy
6. Leon Uris
7. Tayler Branch; The Zookeepers
8. David Simon
9. Michael Chabon
10. John Waters
Posted by: Dave Brandenburg | November 23, 2008 4:52 PM
1. Laura Lippman
2. I want the answer to be Ta-Nehisi Coates
3. Anne Tyler
4. Randy Pausch
5. Tom Clancy. Compelling characters? You're remembering the movies.
6. Leon Uris
7. Taylor Branch
8. Rafael Alvarez
9. Michael Chabon
10. John Waters
What about Jill Morrow, author of Angel Cafe set in Baltimore?
-Sonia
Posted by: Sonia | November 24, 2008 3:02 PM
Here are my answers to the quiz:
1. Laura Lippmann
2. Russel Baker
3. Ann Tyler
4. Randy Pausch
5. Tom Clancy
6. Leon Uris
7. Taylor Branch (singing group Off Our Rocker)
8. David Simon
9. Michael Chabon
10. John Waters
Posted by: Karen | December 3, 2008 6:35 PM