General Knowledge Quiz

[Calthrop]

Surely this is finished, if someone gets the missing title the winner will be the one who has already given two titles.

I concur; just -- have been out, between shortly after my 0706 post; and a little while ago -- "for completeness", saw giving it a little while, in case someone might roll up with the final title (as with @MotCO, immediately preceding post, "might have, but didn't").

Missing one: The Three Hostages, published 1924, action taking place approximately then.

@Gloster: your turn.

 

[Gloster]

Georges Perec’s novel La Disparition is unusual in what way?

 

[DaleCooper]

Georges Perec’s novel La Disparition is unusual in what way?

Does it disappear after reading?

 

[Greenheart]

Is it written from the perspective of different characters in turn?

 

[Peterthegreat]

Is that the one that doesn't use the most common words?

 

[Gloster]

Does it disappear after reading?

No.

Is it written from the perspective of different characters in turn?

No.

Is that the one that doesn't use the most common words?

No, but this is much nearer the answer.

 

[DaleCooper]

Doesn't use the letter "E".

 

[Gloster]

Doesn't use the letter "E".

That is right; it was put into Anglo-Saxon by G.Adair as A Void.

So it is your turn now.

 

[DaleCooper]

That is right; it was put into Anglo-Saxon by G.Adair as A Void.

So it is your turn now.

I haven't got a question so open floor...

 

[MotCO]

Sticking with a literary theme, what was special / unusual about the book given to Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire by Evelyn Waugh?

 

[DaleCooper]

Sticking with a literary theme, what was special / unusual about the book given to Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire by Evelyn Waugh?

It was about Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire.

 

[MotCO]

It was about Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire.

No, it wasn't

 

[Calthrop]

Unhelpful post: I knew that in the past, I'd read something about this episode; but recalled nothing in detail. So I Googled it -- with the inevitable consequence .

 

[MotCO]

Time for a bit of a clue. Evelyn Waugh's inscription said "that her Protestant sensibilities would not be offended" by the book.

 

[Peterthegreat]

She was a Catholic?

 

[DaleCooper]

Time for a bit of a clue. Evelyn Waugh's inscription said "that her Protestant sensibilities would not be offended" by the book.

The poems of Alexander Pope with "Pope" expurgated.

 

[MotCO]

She was a Catholic?

No

The poems of Alexander Pope with "Pope" expurgated.

No

 

[GRALISTAIR]

All the pages had nothing written on them?

 

[MotCO]

All the pages had nothing written on them?

Indeed, the whole book was blank so that there would be nothing to upset the Duchess!

Please take the floor!

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I am really sorry. Cant think of a question at the moment. Open Floor please.

 

[Calthrop]

Where might you -- if you were very lucky -- encounter a solenodon?

 

[DaleCooper]

Where might you -- if you were very lucky -- encounter a solenodon?

Etymologically it seems to be a toothless tube!

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I thought it was a rodent of some sort.

 

[Calthrop]

Etymologically it seems to be a toothless tube!

This is, I reckon, one of those scientific-zoological terms which are, basically, nonsensical...

I thought it was a rodent of some sort.

It is indeed a beastie -- not, zoologically, a rodent; but somewhat rodent-like in appearance. Now, where on the planet does it naturally occur?

 

[yoyothehobo]

Probably an island somewhere, akin to the Tenrecs of Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius

 

[Calthrop]

Probably an island somewhere, akin to the Tenrecs of Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius

Alluding to Mr. Tolkien, as I like to do -- "you hit quite near, but not..." Situations, and creatures, could indeed be seen as to some extent, akin. Solenodons are found on two neighbouring, large-ish islands; but some thousands of miles away from Madagascar and its neighbours. And solenodons and tenrecs have some similarity in appearance and behaviour, although they belong to different zoological orders.

We continue to require the correct islands.

 

[Chrysalis]

Alluding to Mr. Tolkien, as I like to do -- "you hit quite near, but not..." Situations, and creatures, could indeed be seen as to some extent, akin. Solenodons are found on two neighbouring, large-ish islands; but some thousands of miles away from Madagascar and its neighbours. And solenodons and tenrecs have some similarity in appearance and behaviour, although they belong to different zoological orders.

We continue to require the correct islands.

New Zealand?

 

[Peterthegreat]

Cuba?

 

[Calthrop]

New Zealand?

Afraid not.

Cuba?

I'm not going to be a pain-in-the-neck stickler: Cuba will do. This odd little insectivorous mammal comes, nowadays, in two different genera, one extant species in each. One kind is found in Cuba (almost extinct); the other, on the neighbouring island concerned (doing better; but shy and retiring and very hard to find).

As above -- @Peterthegreat "qualifies" here; and follows, re question-setting; but "for completeness' sake" as I'm fond of saying: can anyone identify the other island?

I'm a fool with computers, and seemingly can't successfully do links; but Googling "Solenodon" will speedily access the Wikipedia article thereon, which is a mine of information about these creatures.

 

[xotGD]

Cozumel