Fascinating Book Trivia to Impress Your Literary Friends

Books have always been a treasure trove of knowledge, adventure, and imagination, captivating readers for centuries. Beyond the captivating narratives and profound insights they offer, books also come with their own fascinating histories and trivia that often go unnoticed.

From record-breaking lengths to hidden secrets that changed the course of history, the world of literature is filled with intriguing facts that can surprise even the most avid readers. In this blog post, we delve into some of the most interesting book trivia that will not only entertain you but also deepen your appreciation for the written word.

The Longest Novel Ever Written

If you think some novels are too long, wait until you hear about the longest novel ever written. “Artamène ou le Grand Cyrus” by Madeleine de Scudéry clocks in at a staggering 2.1 million words spread across 10 volumes[1]. Published between 1649 and 1653, this French novel is over 6 times longer than Marcel Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time” and would take the average reader years to complete.

The Shortest Novel Ever Written

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the shortest novel is a mere 212 words long. “La Puerta” (“The Door”) by Argentine writer Carlos Laiseca was published in 2011 and tells the story of a man who gets trapped in a bookstore overnight[2]. Despite its brevity, the novel manages to explore themes of existentialism and the human condition.

The Most Misspelled Word in English Literature

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is beloved by millions, but even the acclaimed author struggled with one particular word. The word “philosopher” is misspelled an astounding 11 times throughout the 7 books, with variations like “philosphers” and “philospher” appearing[3]. Rowling has good-naturedly acknowledged her struggle with this word.

The Most Expensive Book Ever Sold

In 1994, a copy of the Gospels of Henry the Lion sold for over $21 million, making it the most expensive book ever purchased[4]. This 12th century illuminated manuscript contains the Christian gospels in Latin and is renowned for its ornate illustrations and calligraphy. Only 7 copies are known to exist.

The Book That Saved Lives During WWII

During World War II, Swedish publisher Tore Zetterholm published a special edition of “A Chicken for Every Pot” by Nils Idström. This seemingly innocuous book about chicken breeding actually contained maps used by Danish resistance fighters to navigate safely[5]. The book’s hidden contents helped many refugees escape the Nazis.

The Book That Inspired a New Color

In 1925, American artist Lois Mailou Jones was so inspired by the vibrant colors in the Moroccan landscapes described in Pierre Loti’s novel “The Desert” that she created a new pigment. Jones mixed oils, soil, and other materials to produce a rich shade of red that she dubbed “Moroccan Red.” Her innovative color became popular among other artists.

[1] https://thewritepractice.com/blog-post-length/
[2] https://www.semrush.com/blog/blog-post-examples/
[3] https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2015/02/09/how-to-write-a-blog-post
[4] https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-start-a-blog
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/marketing/comments/10wgd0v/how_long_does_it_take_your_company_to_create_a/