Can You Tell Us Who Wrote These Famous Novels?

By: Kennita Leon
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Tell Us Who Wrote These Famous Novels?
Image: Louise LeGresley / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Books have no life, but they breathe life into the worlds that authors create. They're able to transport us to places we may have never imagined ourselves, tell us about things that have happened in the past and make predictions about what the world could possibly be like in the future. But more than that, these inanimate objects provide us with entertainment, relief, joy and even sadness - all with a hundred thousand or so words on some printed pages. 

And becoming a best-seller is no easy task. People's memories are short and humans tend to be fickle. So if a book becomes famous, it's because the author did something incredibly right. Today, we want to pay respect to some of the most talented writers during and before our time, and we'd like your help. We would like you to match the name of the popular book to the man or woman who wrote it.

So, we'll give you the name of the publication and maybe even a clue. It'll be your job to tell us the correct name of the person who brought the work of art to life. If you think you can do that, go ahead and start this quiz.  

Which author wrote "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"?
Sidney Sheldon
Barbara Cartland
J.K. Rowling
Georges Simenon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" is the debut novel of the Harry Potter series by British author J.K. Rowling. Following the success of the first novel, she went on to release six sequels over the span of 10 years.

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Who penned "The Da Vinci Code"?
Dan Brown
Danielle Steel
Dr. Seuss
Corin Tellado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Da Vinci Code" was written by Dan Brown. It is a 2003 mystery thriller novel which follows a symbologist and cryptologist who, after a murder in the Louvre, uncovers a secret which could shake the foundations of Christianity.

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Who wrote about "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," a collection of twelve shorts?
Jackie Collins
Arthur Conan Doyle
William Shakespeare
Eiichiro Oda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" is a collection of twelve short stories centering around Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, the latter of whom relates the stories from his point of view. The book was written by Arthur Conan Doyle and was published in 1892.

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Who wrote "To Kill A Mockingbird," a story about the Deep South?
R.L. Stine
Enid Blyton
Nora Roberts
Harper Lee
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a 1960 novel by Harper Lee and a classic of modern American literature. The story is narrated by Jean Louise "Scout" Finch and deals with the issues of racial inequality, prejudice, rape, class and gender roles in the American Deep South.

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Which Brazilian author wrote "The Alchemist"?
James Patterson
Barbara Cartland
Paulo Coelho
Dean Koontz
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Alchemist" is an adventure and fantasy novel by Brazillian author Paulo Coelho. Published in 1988, the book revolves around a young Andalusian shepherd boy who, following a recurring dream, journeys to Egypt in hopes of finding treasure there.

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"War and Peace" was written by a Russian author. But what was their name?
Leo Tolstoy
Danielle Steel
Georges Simenon
Gilbert Patten
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"War and Peace" is a novel by Russian author Leo Tolstoy. This lengthy work recounts the history of the invasion of Russia by France and the effects of the Napoleonic Era on Tsarist society through the perspectives of five Russian aristocratic families.

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"The Fellowship of the Ring" was the first of an amazing fantasy trilogy. Who wrote it?
J. R. R. Tolkein
Sidney Sheldon
Corin Tellado
Dr. Seuss
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy series that is still quite popular. Written by J. R. R. Tolkien, the work was published in three volumes: "The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King."

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Which Swedish author was responsible for "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"?
Stieg Larsson
John Grisham
Eiichiro Oda
Stephen King
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is a psychological thriller written by Stieg Larsson, a Swedish author and journalist. It is the first book in the Millennium series which was published in 2005 after the author's death, becoming an international bestseller.

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Can you name the author responsible for "Gone With the Wind"?
Enid Blyton
Margaret Mitchell
William Shakespeare
Jackie Collins
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Gone with the Wind" is a 1936 historical fiction novel, written by Magaret Mitchell. The story follows the spoiled daughter of a wealthy plantation owner who struggles to escape poverty following the Sherman's March to the Sea.

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Which of these people published "The Catcher in the Rye"?
Georges Simenon
Danielle Steel
J. D. Salinger
Barbara Cartland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Catcher in the Rye," by author J. D. Salinger, is a classic novel initially published for adults. However, it has since become popular among teenagers, due to its themes of teenage alienation and angst.

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"The Godfather" was a crime novel before it became a hit movie. Who wrote it?
Gilbert Patten
R. L. Stine
Dr. Seuss
Mario Puzo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Godfather" is a 1969 crime novel by Mario Puzo which revolves around a fictional New York City crime family headed by Vito Corleone. The book served as the inspiration for the 1972 film of the same name.

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Who got us all tied up in "Charlotte's Web"?
Corin Tellado
E. B. White
Nora Roberts
Sidney Sheldon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Charlotte's Web," by American author E. B. White, is a children's novel that is regarded as a classic. The book chronicles the friendship between a barn spider named Charlotte and a livestock pig named Wilbur.

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Who is responsible for writing "Don Quixote," a classic Spanish novel?
Eiichiro Oda
Miguel de Cervantes
William Shakespeare
Dean Koontz
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Don Quixote," published in 1605, is one of the most influential works from the Spanish Golden Age. Written by Miguel de Cervantes, it tells the story of a nobleman who, after reading one too many chivalric romances, loses his sanity and becomes a knight-errant.

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Who told the story of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"?
Danielle Steel
Enid Blyton
Georges Simenon
Jules Verne
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" is a novel by French writer Jules Verne and considered to be one of his greatest works. The story recounts the adventure of a marine biologist who, at the last minute, joins an expedition in search of a mysterious sea monster.

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Which author wrote the self-help book, "The Secret"?
Rhonda Byrne
Barbara Cartland
Dr. Seuss
Jackie Collins
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Secret" is a 2006 self-help book by Australian writer Rhonda Byrne. It has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 50 languages. It is based on the law of attraction, a New Age belief which says that a person's thought determines their reality.

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A French writer penned "The Little Prince." Who was he?
John Grisham
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
James Patterson
Dan Brown
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Little Prince" is one of the most renowned works of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a French writer, poet, aviator and aristocrat. This children's book is best known for its quotations, such as "You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."

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Which English author immersed us into a crazy world in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"?
Gilbert Patten
Danielle Steel
William Shakespeare
Lewis Carroll
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," also known as "Alice in Wonderland," is an 1865 novel by English author Lewis Carroll. The book depicts the adventures of a young girl who finds herself in a fantasy world after falling through a rabbit hole.

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Which Colombian author gifted us with "One Hundred Years of Solitude"?
R. L. Stine
Corin Tellado
Sidney Sheldon
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"One Hundred Years of Solitude" is a 1967 novel written by Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Márquez. The book recounts the multigenerational story of the Buendia family, whose patriarch founded the fictitious Colombian town, Macondo.

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Tell us who wrote "Anne of Green Gables"?
Nora Roberts
Enid Blyton
L. M. Montgomery
Georges Simenon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Anne of Green Gables" is a classic children's novel by the Canadian writer, L. M. Montgomery. The book depicts the adventures of an 11-year-old orphan named Anne Shirley who was accidentally sent to middle-aged siblings who wanted a boy to help out on their farm.

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As popular as it was, this book was quite controversial. Who wrote "Lolita"?
Vladimir Nabokov
Eiichiro Oda
Dean Koontz
Stephen King
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Lolita" is a 1955 novel by Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov and is regarded as one of the greatest works of the 20th century. The story is narrated by a middle-aged professor who becomes infatuated and begins a relationship with a twelve-year-old girl.

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Which of these authors do you think wrote the children's book, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"?
Danielle Steel
Dr. Seuss
Barbara Cartland
Eric Carle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is a children's picture book which centers around a caterpillar who eats a large amount of food before pupating and emerging as a butterfly. The book was written, designed and illustrated by Eric Carle.

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The same man responsible for "Oliver Twist" wrote "A Tale of Two Cities." Who was he?
William Shakespeare
Charles Dickens
Gilbert Patten
Jackie Collins
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"A Tale of Two Cities" is an 1859 historical novel set before and after the French Revolution. The book depicts the story of French Doctor Manette who, following his 18-year imprisonment, is reunited with his daughter who he has never met.

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Which of these people is responsible for the dystopian book and series, "The Hunger Games"?
James Patterson
Georges Simenon
Suzanne Collins
John Grisham
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Hunger Games" is a dystopian novel and the first installment of the Hunger Games trilogy, written by Suzanne Collins. The story is narrated by Katniss Everdeen, who takes her sister's place after she was chosen to participate in the yearly Hunger Games event.

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Who told us of "The Grapes of Wrath," a story of a family starting fresh?
John Steinbeck
Enid Blyton
Sidney Sheldon
Corin Tellado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck is a 1939 realist novel set during the Great Depression. The book follows the Joads, a poor Oklahoma family who head to California in hopes of starting a better life.

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Which of these authors wrote "The Outsiders"?
Stephen King
R. L. Stine
S. E. Hinton
Danielle Steel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Outsiders" is a 1967 coming-of-age novel by American author S. E. Hinton, which she wrote between 15 and 18 years old. Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the story is narrated from the perspective of the teenage protagonist, Ponyboy Curtis.

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Who wrote about Willy Wonka in the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"?
Dr. Seuss
Barbara Cartland
Roald Dahl
William Shakespeare
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is a 1964 British children's novel by author Roald Dahl. The book depicts the adventures of young Charlie Bucket, who wins a ticket to visit the factory of the eccentric chocolatier, Willy Wonka.

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"A Dance with Dragons" is the fifth book of the Song of Ice and Fire series. Who wrote it?
Eiichiro Oda
George R. R. Martin
Dean Koontz
Georges Simenon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"A Dance with Dragons" is the fifth installment of George R. R. Martin's epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire. Published in 2011, the book was adapted for the fifth season of the HBO series "Game of Thrones."

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Who wrote "The Diary of a Young Girl," an autobiography of her time hiding from the Nazis?
Gilbert Patten
Jackie Collins
Nora Roberts
Anne Frank
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Diary of a Young Girl" is an autobiography which details the experience of a young girl named Anne Frank. Along with her family, she hid from the Nazis for two years during WWII. While in hiding, she recorded her everyday thoughts.

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Can you tell us the name of the person who penned "Dream of the Red Chamber," a semi-autobiography?
James Patterson
Sidney Sheldon
Cao Xueqin
John Grisham
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Dream of the Red Chamber," or "The Story of the Stone," is one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. Composed by Cao Xueqin, the novel is believed to be semi-autobiographical, mirroring the rise and fall of his family as well as the Qing Dynasty.

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"She: A History of Adventure" was written by which of these people?
H. Rider Haggard
Barbara Cartland
Enid Blyton
Danielle Steel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"She: A History of Adventure," by H. Rider Haggard, is a novel told from the first-person narrative of Horace Holly. He journeys to a lost African Kingdom with his ward, Leo Vincey, where they encounter its inhabitants and their immortal queen, known as She.

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Which famous author wrote "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"?
William Shakespeare
R. L. Stine
Mark Twain
Georges Simenon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is the 1884 sequel to Mark Twain's 1876 "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." The novel is known for its vivid description of people and places and use of satire on entrenched attitudes, specifically racism.

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Who gave us "The Pillars of the Earth," set in the 12th century?
Ken Follett
Corin Tellado
Stephen King
Dean Koontz
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Pillars of the Earth," set in the 12th century, is a historical novel which depicts the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge, England. It was written by Welsh author Ken Follett, who was known for writing in the thriller genre.

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Who wrote "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" - a book that was subsequently turned into a movie?
Jackie Collins
Eiichiro Oda
Dr. Seuss
C. S. Lewis
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is a children's fantasy novel and the first of seven books of the Chronicles of Narnia series. The story follows four siblings who are transported to the mythical land of Narnia to save its residents from the evil White Witch.

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Who penned "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"?
Sidney Sheldon
Douglas Adams
Enid Blyton
Gilbert Patten
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," written by English author Douglas Adams, is the first of five books in a series. The novel follows a human and his alien friend who are swept off Earth mere seconds before it is destroyed in order to build a bypass.

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Which of these authors wrote the children's book "Where the Wild Things Are"?
Danielle Steel
Barbara Cartland
Maurice Sendak
William Shakespeare
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Where the Wild Things Are" is a 1963 children's picture book by American author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak, for which he won the annual Caldecott Medal in 1964. The book tells the story of a mischievous boy who escapes to a mythical land, where he becomes king.

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