Wednesday, April 1, 2009

"Guess the Name of the Author" Book Giveaway Contest

To help get April's Orbis Terrarum reading off to a fun start, I'm giving away a free paperback (author and title to be revealed later) to the first OT challenger who can guess the name of the mystery man above (no resemblance to the actual author, of course!). All OT contestants are welcome to play, and the only rule is that you should limit yourself to one guess a day (no anonymous entries) in the comments box until the writer's identity is revealed. I'll provide a new clue here daily until a winner is declared, but here are three to start you out. P.S. Given that these clues may apply to more than one person, don't get too mad if you guess the "wrong" writer based on a similar description. I know who the right one is!

  • The author in question, one of the most influential of his times by many accounts, was a writer and a photographer.
  • English was not the author's native language.
  • A son of the author is a filmmaker.
  • (Bonus clue) Jorge Luis Borges, no stranger to talent himself, was a huge fan of this writer's work.
  • (Latest clue) Although this celebrated short story writer and novelist did write in Spanish, he wasn't born in either South America or Spain.

Can you guess the name of this author?

18 comments:

bethany (dreadlock girl) said...

Thanks s much Richard!! This is such a great idea! I can't wait to see who it is.

Richard said...

You're very welcome, Bethany! Feel free to join in on the fun yourself if you like!!

raidergirl3 said...

What a fun idea! I love trivia and contests.
I'll guess for today: Nabokov

Tea said...

This is going to be soooo much fun. I'm thinking, thinking and....

Richard said...

*Raidergirl3: Good guess, but you'll need to try again today (another clue's coming momentarily). Thanks for playing!

*Tea: Glad you think this is fun! Here comes the next hint....

Anonymous said...

Ooo, new clue! Could it possibly be Julio Cortazar (hopefully spelled right...!)

Tea said...

I'm taking a big guess. Maybe Pablo Neruda? I love his poetry.

Tea said...

Richard,

I'm still having fun. I'm getting just a bit grouchy. woof, woof.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

I might have cheated a little. :P So I won't put my guess. Is the author Argentine?

Richard said...

*Tuulenhaiven: Maybe the best guess so far! Please try again after the next clue appears.

*Tea: Another solid guess [wagging my own tail]! See the next clue for more on the author's genre of choice.

*Trish: Are you a mind-reader? Bethany certainly is! The next clue will respond to your question in a manner that should benefit all who are playing. Thanks for participating!

Eva @ One Swede Read said...

Is he Mexican?? If so, I'll go for Juan Rulfo. Not sure his son was a filmmaker, though...

Tea said...

My big guess for today is Carlos Fuentes.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

This is so much fun, but I dont have any guesses. Not one! Great game, Richard. Gonna have to tighten my thinking cap.

bethany (dreadlock girl) said...

This is awesome! Richard this is a great game.

Tea said...

Richard,

I bet it's an author we would never suspect. At least you're giving us good clues.

Richard said...

*One Swede Read: You won! Please see today's post for your moment of trivia immortality and then get in touch with me (at my own blog or via Bethany) to claim your prize.

*Tea: So close--you had the right country at least! Thanks for playing along (I'd been worried that nobody would be interested).

*Trish: Glad you had fun! There will probably be another trivia contest down the road, so don't throw away that thinking cap!

*Bethany: I'll have to think outside the box next time so you don't guess my author on your very first attempt! Thanks for rooting the game on from the sidelines!

bethany (dreadlock girl) said...

thanks a million for hosting this Richard, it is a brilliant idea!! I studied Pedro Paramo in college. I do need to brush up on Juan Rulfo's writings though.

raidergirl3 said...

Great game!
I read Pedro Palermo and didn't get it at all. Probably my first reading of magical realism and I didn't know what that was at all. Blech for me.
But I am pleased that I've heard of Rulfo.
well done