Introduction to Notable Authors and Writers
In this section, we will learn about some famous British authors and their important works. Each of these writers has made a significant contribution to literature, exploring themes like family, society, and adventure. Here are some key authors you should know:
Jane Austen (1775–1817)
- Who: English novelist
- Notable Works: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility
- Themes: Focuses on marriage and family relationships
- Adaptations: Many of her novels have been turned into films and television series.
Charles Dickens (1812–1870)
- Who: Renowned English novelist
- Notable Works: Oliver Twist, Great Expectations
- Famous Characters:
- Scrooge: Represents a mean person.
- Mr Micawber: Symbolises hopefulness.
- Impact: His characters are often referenced in everyday conversation.
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894)
- Who: Scottish novelist
- Notable Works: Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
- Themes: Adventure and moral dilemmas, appealing to both adults and children.
Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)
- Who: English author and poet
- Notable Works: Far from the Madding Crowd, Jude the Obscure
- Themes: Focuses on rural society and the struggles within it.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930)
- Who: Scottish doctor and writer
- Notable Works: Stories about Sherlock Holmes
- Contribution: Created one of the first fictional detectives.
Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966)
- Who: English novelist
- Notable Works: Decline and Fall, Scoop, Brideshead Revisited
- Style: Known for writing satirical novels.
Sir Kingsley Amis (1922–1995)
- Who: English novelist and poet
- Notable Works: Lucky Jim
- Contribution: Wrote more than 20 novels throughout his career.
Graham Greene (1904–1991)
- Who: English novelist
- Notable Works: The Heart of the Matter, Brighton Rock, Our Man in Havana
- Themes: Often influenced by religious beliefs.
J.K. Rowling (1965–)
- Who: English author
- Notable Works: Harry Potter series
- Impact: Achieved worldwide success; writes both children’s and adult fiction now.
Questions for Understanding
Easy Level Questions
- Who wrote Pride and Prejudice?
- A) Charles Dickens
- B) Jane Austen
- C) Robert Louis Stevenson
- D) J.K. Rowling
- What is Treasure Island about?
- A) A romance story
- B) An adventure story
- C) A horror story
- D) A mystery story
- Who is known for creating Sherlock Holmes?
- A) Thomas Hardy
- B) Charles Dickens
- C) Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- D) Graham Greene
- Which author is famous for Oliver Twist?
- A) J.K. Rowling
- B) Jane Austen
- C) Charles Dickens
- D) Sir Kingsley Amis
- Who wrote Harry Potter?
- A) Robert Louis Stevenson
- B) J.K. Rowling
- C) Evelyn Waugh
- D) Thomas Hardy
- What theme do many of Jane Austen’s novels explore?
- A) Adventure
- B) Family relationships
- C) Science fiction
- D) Historical events
- What type of novels did Evelyn Waugh write?
- A) Romantic novels
- B) Satirical novels
- C) Horror novels
- D) Mystery novels
- Who wrote Far from the Madding Crowd?
- A) J.K. Rowling
- B) Thomas Hardy
- C) Robert Louis Stevenson
- D) Sir Kingsley Amis
- Who is known for the character Scrooge?
- A) Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- B) Charles Dickens
- C) Graham Greene
- D) Jane Austen
- Which author wrote about rural society?
- A) Jane Austen
- B) Thomas Hardy
- C) J.K. Rowling
- D) Evelyn Waugh
Medium Level Questions
- What is Brideshead Revisited known for?
- A) A comedy
- B) A satirical novel
- C) A romantic novel
- D) A mystery
- Which book features the characters Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?
- A) Pride and Prejudice
- B) Treasure Island
- C) Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
- D) Oliver Twist
- Which author explored themes of religion in their novels?
- A) J.K. Rowling
- B) Graham Greene
- C) Jane Austen
- D) Thomas Hardy
- Who wrote more than 20 novels during their lifetime?
- A) J.K. Rowling
- B) Sir Kingsley Amis
- C) Robert Louis Stevenson
- D) Jane Austen
- What is the primary focus of Charles Dickens’ novels?
- A) Historical events
- B) Social issues
- C) Family relationships
- D) Adventure stories
- What genre is Robert Louis Stevenson best known for?
- A) Romance
- B) Adventure
- C) Mystery
- D) Science fiction
- What major theme is explored in Sense and Sensibility?
- A) Adventure
- B) Political issues
- C) Family and love
- D) Science fiction
- What is the name of the detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?
- A) Scrooge
- B) Sherlock Holmes
- C) Mr Micawber
- D) Lucky Jim
- Which book is known for its satirical take on British society?
- A) Great Expectations
- B) Decline and Fall
- C) Harry Potter
- D) Oliver Twist
- What is the common theme in Thomas Hardy’s works?
- A) Urban life
- B) Rural struggles
- C) Futuristic adventures
- D) Family relationships
Hard Level Questions
- Which author is often associated with the term “Scrooge” in modern language?
- A) Sir Kingsley Amis
- B) Graham Greene
- C) Charles Dickens
- D) Robert Louis Stevenson
- Which book tells the story of a shipwrecked boy and treasure maps?
- A) Kidnapped
- B) Treasure Island
- C) Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
- D) Great Expectations
- What are the main themes in Jane Austen’s novels?
- A) Adventure and mystery
- B) Love and marriage
- C) Science and technology
- D) Politics and war
- Who wrote Brighton Rock?
- A) J.K. Rowling
- B) Graham Greene
- C) Thomas Hardy
- D) Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- What is the unique style of writing that Evelyn Waugh is known for?
- A) Realism
- B) Satire
- C) Fantasy
- D) Historical fiction
- In which period did Robert Louis Stevenson write his famous adventure stories?
- A) Victorian era
- B) Modern era
- C) Edwardian era
- D) Elizabethan era
- Who is the author of Lucky Jim?
- A) J.K. Rowling
- B) Sir Kingsley Amis
- C) Graham Greene
- D) Thomas Hardy
- Which of the following novels is about a man with a dual personality?
- A) Pride and Prejudice
- B) Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
- C) The Honorary Consul
- D) Brideshead Revisited
- What type of society does Thomas Hardy often depict in his novels?
- A) Urban society
- B) Industrial society
- C) Rural society
- D) Global society
- Which author experienced great success with the Harry Potter series?
- A) Robert Louis Stevenson
- B) J.K. Rowling
- C) Charles Dickens
- D) Jane Austen
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- B – Jane Austen
- B – An adventure story
- C – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- C – Charles Dickens
- B – J.K. Rowling
- B – Family relationships
- B – Satirical novels
- B – Thomas Hardy
- B – Charles Dickens
- B – Thomas Hardy
Medium Level Answers
- B – A satirical novel
- C – Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
- B – Graham Greene
- B – Sir Kingsley Amis
- B – Social issues
- B – Adventure
- C – Family and love
- B – Sherlock Holmes
- B – Decline and Fall
- B – Rural struggles
Hard Level Answers
- C – Charles Dickens
- B – Treasure Island
- B – Love and marriage
- B – Graham Greene
- B – Satire
- A – Victorian era
- B – Sir Kingsley Amis
- B – Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
- C – Rural society
- B – J.K. Rowling
