Tan Twan Eng's Novels and Themes

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Questions and Answers

What primary theme is explored in Jeet Thayil's poetry collection 'These Errors Are Correct'?

Romantic relationships

The beauty of nature

Identity and alienation (correct)

Historical events

What character in 'Narcopolis' is a transgender sex worker and drug dealer?

Farooqi

Mr. Lee

Rao

Dimple (correct)

Which of the following best describes the narrative style of Thayil's novel 'Narcopolis'?

Linear and chronological

Third-person omniscient

Fragments and stream-of-consciousness (correct)

Traditional and straightforward

Which magical characteristic is associated with the hero Mocchhander in the title story?

His magical iron moustaches Signup and view all the answers

What city serves as the backdrop for the events in 'Narcopolis'?

Bombay Signup and view all the answers

How does Thayil's poetry in 'These Errors Are Correct' reflect on human experiences?

It portrays errors as essential to personal development. Signup and view all the answers

What humor aspect is noted in the stories featuring Mocchhander?

Lighthearted and playful comedy Signup and view all the answers

What primary issue does the character Rao face in 'Narcopolis'?

Drug addiction Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme explored in Jonathan Safran Foer's novels?

The emotional impact of trauma and loss Signup and view all the answers

Which character embarks on a quest related to their father's death in Foer's works?

Oskar Schell Signup and view all the answers

What motivates Jonathan Safran Foer to reconsider his eating habits as described in 'Eating Animals'?

His personal experiences after becoming a father Signup and view all the answers

What narrative style does 'Everything Is Illuminated' predominantly use?

Alternating between present-day events and historical flashbacks Signup and view all the answers

What notable event influences the character Oskar Schell in 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close'?

The September 11 attacks Signup and view all the answers

Which novel by Sara Gruen was adapted into a film featuring notable actors?

Water for Elephants Signup and view all the answers

What is a recurring ethical dilemma discussed in 'Eating Animals'?

The justifications for animal cruelty in food production Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of identity is prominently questioned in Foer's works?

Personal choices in difficult circumstances Signup and view all the answers

What central theme is explored in both Ru and Island of a Thousand Mirrors?

The impact of war on personal identities Signup and view all the answers

What does the title 'Ru' symbolize in the context of the novel?

The emotional complexity of memories Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect primarily differentiates the perspectives of Sumithra and Leela in Island of a Thousand Mirrors?

Their social status and community background Signup and view all the answers

In What Lies Between Us, what emotional themes does the novel primarily examine?

Guilt, betrayal, shame, and redemption Signup and view all the answers

What narrative style is used in Ru by Kim Thúy?

Lyrical and fragmented vignettes Signup and view all the answers

What significant personal event does Leela face in What Lies Between Us?

She confronts a tragic love from her youth Signup and view all the answers

What do both novels reveal about the experiences of women in conflict situations?

They exhibit resilience despite the trauma of displacement Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the setting of Island of a Thousand Mirrors?

The backdrop of the Sri Lankan Civil War Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary theme explored in At the Water's Edge?

The impact of war on families Signup and view all the answers

What significant event leads to Maggie's and Henderson's move to Scotland?

Henderson's disgrace for avoiding military service Signup and view all the answers

In Water for Elephants, what profession does Jacob pursue?

Circus veterinarian Signup and view all the answers

What prompts Annemarie Zimmer to return to her father's horse farm?

Her father's illness Signup and view all the answers

Which genre is Margaret Atwood primarily associated with?

Dystopian Signup and view all the answers

What term did James Wood use to describe Zadie Smith's writing style in "White Teeth"?

Hysterical Realism Signup and view all the answers

What event critically injures Isabel Duncan in the novel involving the Great Ape Language Lab?

A terrorist attack Signup and view all the answers

Which novel by Zadie Smith won the 2006 Orange Prize for Fiction?

On Beauty Signup and view all the answers

In Oryx and Crake, what causes humanity's near extinction?

A man-made pandemic Signup and view all the answers

What is the central theme of Delphine de Vigan's novel "Rien ne s'oppose a la nuit"?

Mother's bipolar disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes Michel Houellebecq's writing?

It is often considered vulgar and sleazy. Signup and view all the answers

Which character develops a connection with a Scottish man named Hamish?

Maggie Signup and view all the answers

What literary tradition is Isabel Allende known for?

Magical Realism Signup and view all the answers

Which novel by Isabel Allende is set in Chile and explores themes of family and the supernatural?

The House of the Spirits Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Michel Houellebecq publish his first novel?

1994 Signup and view all the answers

What major award did Delphine de Vigan's novel "No et moi" win in 2008?

The Prix des Libraires Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary theme of the story involving Alex and his grandmother Kate?

The search for an ancient creature. Signup and view all the answers

Which literary genre is Gabriel García Márquez primarily associated with?

Magical Realism Signup and view all the answers

What notable award did Mario Vargas Llosa win in 2010?

Nobel Prize in Literature Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the major works of Gabriel García Márquez?

Love in the Time of Cholera Signup and view all the answers

What award did Patricio Pron receive that recognizes the best works published in Spain?

José Manuel Lara Foundation Award Signup and view all the answers

Which country does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie hail from?

Nigeria Signup and view all the answers

Which of these authors is associated with the Bogotá39 selection for young writers?

Rodrigo Hasbún Signup and view all the answers

What type of literary works has Patricio Pron published?

Novels and short stories Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Tan Twan Eng

Born in Penang, lived in various places in Malaysia as a child
Studied law in London, worked as a lawyer in Kuala Lumpur
International Writer-in-Residence at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2016
Translated his first novel, "The Gift of Rain" (2007), into multiple languages
"The Gift of Rain" (2007) is a historical novel set in 2nd World War II Japanese-occupied Malaya
Story follows Philip Hutton, a young Anglo-Malay man who reflects on his life and choices
He forms a close bond with a Japanese mentor (Endo-sensei) and is tested when Japan occupies Malaya
Explores themes of identity, loyalty, betrayal, psychological scars of war
Another novel, "The Garden of Evening Mists" (2011), won the Man Asian Literary Prize and the Walter Scott Prize
Set in post-WWII Malaya, focuses on Yun Ling, a woman scarred by Japanese imprisonment
She seeks healing by working with Aritomo, a former Japanese gardener in building a garden
Explores themes of memory, trauma, forgiveness, legacy of war
Narrative alternates between Yun Ling's adult life and flashbacks of wartime experiences.

Musharraf Ali Farooqi

Critically acclaimed Pakistani author, novelist, and translator
Novel "Between Clay and Dust" shortlisted for Man Asian Literary Prize 2012 and longlisted for 2013 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature
Second novel, "The Story of a Widow," shortlisted for 2011 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature and longlisted for 2010 IMPAC-Dublin Literary Award
His latest work is children's fiction, "Tik-Tik, The Master of Time."

Jeet Thayil

Indian poet, novelist, librettist and musician
Author of four poetry collections: "These Errors Are Correct," "English," "Apocalypso," and "Gemini"
Novel "Narcopolis" (2012) shortlisted for the 2012 Man Booker Prize and the Hindu Literary Prize 2013

Nayomi Munaweera

Debut novel, "Island of a Thousand Mirrors" won the Commonwealth Regional Prize for Asia and shortlisted for the Northern California Book Award
Second novel, "What Lies Between Us" released in 2016 and acclaimed as one of the most anticipated books of that year
Novels explore themes of war, displacement, identity

Jonathan Safran Foer

Author of "Everything Is Illuminated" and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"
"Everything Is Illuminated" is a novel about a Jewish-American man travelling to Ukraine to find the woman who saved his grandfather during the Holocaust.

Sara Gruen

Bestselling author of "At The Water's Edge," "Ape House", "Water for Elephants", "Riding Lessons", and "Flying Changes"
"Water for Elephants" (2011) adapted into a major motion picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz.

Margaret Atwood

Canadian author known for feminist and dystopian themes
Bestselling novels include "Oryx and Crake," "The Handmaid's Tale", and "The Blind Assassin"

Valeria Luiselli

Award-winning author and translator
Known for "Faces In The Crowd" (2012), "The Story of My Teeth" (2015), and "Sidewalks" (2013)

Carmen Boullosa

Poet, playwright, novelist whose works like "Leaving Tabasco," and "Texas: The Great Theft", are well-regarded
Focuses on issues of migration, cultural conflicts, displacement, longing for home, and the complexities of balancing the past with the future

Ian McEwan

British writer with award-winning novels, including "Atonement." His work often focuses on closely observed personal lives in a politically fraught world.

Zadie Smith

British novelist and essayist.
Known for her novels that explore themes of race, immigration and post-colonial experience. "White Teeth", "On Beauty", and "NW" are a few of her most noted works.

Delphine de Vigan

French novelist who is known for her novels.
Breakthrough work, "No et moi", awarded the Prix des Libraires (The Booksellers' Prize) in France in 2008. "Rien ne s'oppose a la nuit" is one of her acclaimed novels dealing with family coping with mother's bipolar disorder.

Michel Houellebecq

French novelist highly controversial and celebrated at the same time
Well known for works like "Extension du domaine de la lutte", "Les particules élémentaires", and "Plateforme".

Isabel Allende

Chilean-American novelist in the "magic realism" tradition
One of the first successful women novelists in Latin America. Best known for "The House of the Spirits" and "City of the Beasts".

Mario Vargas Llosa

Peruvian author who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010.
Famous for his fiction and critical acclaim with works like "The Storyteller" and "Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter".

Patricio Pron

His novels and stories have been published internationally.
His works often focus on border issues, Mexico, the impact of displacement, and the challenges of migration.

Rodrigo Hasbún

Bolivian novelist currently living in Houston, Texas.
His work has been acclaimed for its ability to capture and highlight personal experience.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Popular for novels like "Purple Hibiscus", "Half of a Yellow Sun", and "Americanah"
Novels explore themes of oppression, family dynamics, and the quest for freedom
Her work frequently examines the complexities of family dynamics and the quest for personal freedom

Alain Mabanckou

Popular Francophone African writer known for the use of the experimental structure in his novels
His work is frequently translated into multiple languages.

Ben Okri

Nigerian novelist and poet.
His work is known for exploring themes of postcolonial Africa, political violence, and the human condition.
His novels often feature a combination of realism and magical realism, which is commonly found in his writing style.

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Description

Explore the profound narratives of Tan Twan Eng, focusing on his celebrated novels 'The Gift of Rain' and 'The Garden of Evening Mists'. This quiz delves into themes of identity, loyalty, and the psychological impact of war reflected in his characters' journeys during and after Japanese-occupied Malaya. Test your knowledge on the plots, characters, and historical settings of these significant works.