Famous International Authors & Books
Delhi Police Exams - GK Section
Introduction to International Literature
Global literature opens doors to universal themes like love, courage, freedom and human struggle. Exams frequently quiz on world classics and their authors — knowing the keyword memory is vital for quick revision.
Memory Trick: P–L–A–J–W–D–G–E → Paulo, Leo, Arthur, Jane, William, Dan, George, Ernest. (Please Learn All Just With Dedication, Genius Effort!)
Major International Authors & Their Books
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
- Author: Paulo Coelho (Brazilian)
- Published: 1988
- Genre: Philosophical fiction
- Main Character: Santiago (shepherd boy)
- Theme: Dreams and destiny
- Quote: When you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it.
War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy
- Author: Leo Tolstoy (Russian)
- Published: 1869
- Genre: Historical novel
- Main Characters: Pierre, Natasha, Andrei
- Theme: Napoleonic wars, Russian nature
- Significance: Among the longest novels ever written
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – Arthur Conan Doyle
- Author: Arthur Conan Doyle (British)
- Published: 1892
- Genre: Detective fiction
- Main Characters: Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson
Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
- Author: Jane Austen (British)
- Published: 1813
- Genre: Romantic novel
- Main Characters: Elizabeth Bennet & Mr. Darcy
- Theme: Love, marriage, social class & independence
Hamlet / Macbeth – William Shakespeare
- Author: William Shakespeare
- Genre: Tragedy
- Hamlet Theme: Revenge, indecision, fate
- Macbeth Theme: Ambition, guilt, downfall
- Quotes: To be or not to be (Hamlet), Fair is foul, and foul is fair (Macbeth)
The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown
- Author: Dan Brown (American)
- Published: 2003
- Genre: Mystery thriller
- Main Character: Robert Langdon
- Theme: Secret societies, religious mysteries
Animal Farm / 1984 – George Orwell
- Author: George Orwell (British)
- Published: Animal Farm (1945), 1984 (1949)
- Genre: Political satire, dystopian fiction
- Theme: Freedom vs control, dictatorship
The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway
- Author: Ernest Hemingway (American)
- Published: 1952
- Genre: Adventure, philosophical fiction
- Theme: Courage, endurance, struggle against nature
- Characters: Santiago (old fisherman)
- Awards: Pulitzer Prize 1953, Nobel Prize 1954
Summary Table – International Authors & Books
| Book Title | Author | Genre / Theme | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho | Dreams & Destiny | Brazil |
| War and Peace | Leo Tolstoy | Russian War & Society | Russia |
| The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes | Arthur Conan Doyle | Detective Fiction | UK |
| Pride and Prejudice | Jane Austen | Love & Society | UK |
| Hamlet / Macbeth | William Shakespeare | Tragedy & Morality | UK |
| The Da Vinci Code | Dan Brown | Mystery Thriller | USA |
| Animal Farm / 1984 | George Orwell | Political Satire | UK |
| The Old Man and the Sea | Ernest Hemingway | Courage & Struggle | USA |
PYQs (Delhi Police, SSC & State Exams)
Who wrote The Alchemist?
A) Paulo Coelho B) Dan Brown C) Leo Tolstoy D) Ernest Hemingway
Show Answer
A) Paulo Coelho
War and Peace was written by —
A) George Orwell B) Leo Tolstoy C) Victor Hugo D) Charles Dickens
Show Answer
B) Leo Tolstoy
The character “Sherlock Holmes” was created by —
A) William Shakespeare B) Charles Dickens C) Arthur Conan Doyle D) Mark Twain
Show Answer
C) Arthur Conan Doyle
Pride and Prejudice was written by —
A) Emily Bronte B) Jane Austen C) George Eliot D) Louisa May Alcott
Show Answer
B) Jane Austen
Who is the author of Hamlet?
A) George Orwell B) William Shakespeare C) John Milton D) Charles Dickens
Show Answer
B) William Shakespeare
The Da Vinci Code was written by —
A) Paulo Coelho B) Dan Brown C) Ernest Hemingway D) Leo Tolstoy
Show Answer
B) Dan Brown
Animal Farm is written by —
A) George Orwell B) Leo Tolstoy C) Charles Dickens D) Dan Brown
Show Answer
A) George Orwell
The novel 1984 deals with —
A) Friendship B) Political dictatorship C) War heroism D) Romance
Show Answer
B) Political dictatorship
The Old Man and the Sea was written by —
A) Arthur Conan Doyle B) Ernest Hemingway C) Mark Twain D) George Orwell
Show Answer
B) Ernest Hemingway
Hamlet and Macbeth were written by which English playwright?
A) William Wordsworth B) William Shakespeare C) John Keats D) T.S. Eliot
Show Answer
B) William Shakespeare
Quick Revision – One Line Memory
| Book | Author | Keyword Memory |
|---|---|---|
| The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho | Dreams & Destiny |
| War and Peace | Leo Tolstoy | Russian History |
| Sherlock Holmes | Arthur Conan Doyle | Detective Genius |
| Pride and Prejudice | Jane Austen | Love & Social Class |
| Hamlet / Macbeth | William Shakespeare | Tragic Plays |
| The Da Vinci Code | Dan Brown | Secret Mystery |
| Animal Farm / 1984 | George Orwell | Political Satire |
| The Old Man and the Sea | Ernest Hemingway | Courage & Struggle |
Final Concept Recap
- Paulo Coelho – The Alchemist: Destiny & Dreams
- Leo Tolstoy – War and Peace: Russian Society
- Arthur Conan Doyle – Sherlock Holmes: Detective Fiction
- Jane Austen – Pride and Prejudice: Love & Class
- William Shakespeare – Hamlet / Macbeth: Human Nature & Tragedy
- Dan Brown – The Da Vinci Code: Mystery & Religion
- George Orwell – Animal Farm / 1984: Political Warning
- Ernest Hemingway – The Old Man and the Sea: Courage & Survival
From Coelho’s dreams to Orwell’s warnings — world literature reflects every shade of life.
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