When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.
Literary and Philosophical References
- The Bible (3.31)
- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (11.54, 11.55; 20.71)
- Dylan Thomas, "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night"
- William Shakespeare (23.132)
Historical References
- Vlad the Impaler (8.34)
- Genghis Khan (8.34)
- Vigo the Carpathian (8.34)
- Jimmy Carter (8.102)
- Adolf Hitler (8.109)
- Hurricane Katrina (17.54)
Pop Culture References
- Guys and Dolls, "Luck Be a Lady" (1.90)
- The Beast Master (2.5)
- Dragonslayer (2.5)
- Conan the Barbarian (2.5, 2.7, 2.13)
- The Sound of Music, "My Favorite Things" (3.37)
- The Rolling Stones, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" (4.61)
- Paul Simon (4.63)
- The Get-Up Kids (4.63)
- West Side Story (4.99)
- Mansquito (4.111, 4.112)
- Hellboy (4.115)
- Martha Stewart (4.136)
- Star Wars (8.61)
- The Rolling Stones (8.100, 8.101)
- Elvis Presley (8.109)
- Alkaline Trio (9.11)
- The Sixth Sense (14.42)
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (15.56)
- The Beastie Boys, "Brass Monkey" (17.26)
- Dungeons and Dragons (19.70)
- MacGyver (19.70)
- Peter Pan (19.77)
- Michael Jackson, "Thriller" (19.151, 19.152)
- Resident Evil (19.151, 19.154)
- Monty Python (20.191)
- Silence of the Lambs (21.34)
- Practical Magic (22.134)
- Rachael Ray (22.134)
- Julia Child (22.134)
- James Bond (25.80)
- Austin Powers (25.80, 25.81)
- Inspector Gadget (25.80)
- The Six Million Dollar Man (26.5)
- Calvin and Hobbes (30.5)
- Mario Party (31.95)
Songs Referenced in the Chapter Titles
- Oingo Boingo, "Dead Man's Party" (Chapter 1)
- Dean Martin, "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" (Chapter 2)
- Julie Andrews, "My Favorite Things" (Chapters 3 and 4)
- Tom Jones, "She's a Lady" (Chapter 5)
- The Eurhythmics, "Sweet Dreams" (Chapter 6)
- Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, "Lil' Red Riding Hood" (Chapter 7)
- Elton John, "Tiny Dancer" (Chapter 8)
- Timbuk 3, "The Future's So Bright" (Chapter 9)
- Foreigner, "Waiting for a Girl Like You" (Chapter 10)
- Paul Simon, "Loves Me Like a Rock" (Chapter 11)
- Guns N' Roses, "Sweet Child of Mine" (Chapter 12)
- Screamin' Jay Hawkins, "I Put a Spell on You" (Chapter 13)
- INXS, "The Devil Inside" (Chapter 14)
- Fats Domino, "I Hear You Knockin'" (Chapter 15)
- The Temptations, "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" (Chapter 16)
- Frank Sinatra, "Strangers in the Night" (Chapter 17)
- Hues Corporation, "Don't Rock the Boat" (Chapter 18)
- Motley Crue, "Kick Start My Heart" (Chapter 19)
- Blue Oyster Cult, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" (Chapter 20)
- They Might Be Giants, "Birdhouse in Your Soul" (Chapter 21)
- The Commodores, "Easy" (Chapter 22)
- Alice Cooper, "School's Out" (Chapter 23)
- The Beatles, "Come Together" (Chapter 24)
- Soundgarden, "Rusty Cage" (Chapter 25)
- Carl Douglas, "Kung Fu Fighting" (Chapter 26)
- Ray Charles, "Unchain My Heart" (Chapter 27)
- The Beatles, "Drive My Car" (Chapter 28)
- The Sweet, "The Ballroom Blitz" (Chapter 29)
- AC/DC, "Back in Black" (Chapter 30)
- Paul McCartney, "Live and Let Die" (Chapter 31)