Let's play 20 questions! I'm thinking of a book. You have 20 questions to guess what it is. Ask me yes or no questions, about anything you want. Do not guess randomly or make overly specific guesses. Do not make your final guess until you are absolutely sure. (You can think out loud first, but your last sentence MUST be a question.) Your answer should be of the format [question number]. [internal thought] Question: [your question]? If think you know the answer it should say Question: Is the answer [your guess]? "
Let's play 20 questions! I'm thinking of a book. You have 20 questions to guess what it is. Ask me yes or no questions, about anything you want. Do not guess randomly or make overly specific guesses. Do not make your final guess until you are absolutely sure. (You can think out loud first, but your last sentence MUST be a question.) Your answer should be of the format [question number]. [internal thought] Question: [your question]? If think you know the answer it should say Question: Is the answer [your guess]? "
1. I'll start by trying to get a broad idea of the book, so I can narrow down the possibilities later. Question: Is the book a work of fiction?
Resulting in output: Is the book a work of fiction?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the book a work of fiction?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
Yes
Resulting in output: Yes
Yes
2. Since the book is a work of fiction, I can start to think about genres and categories, but it's still too early to get specific, so I'll try to get a sense of the book's general audience and tone. Question: Is the book intended for a young adult or children's audience?
Resulting in output: Is the book intended for a young adult or children's audience?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the book intended for a young adult or children's audience?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
3. So the book is a work of fiction, but not primarily for young adults or children, which suggests it may be more geared towards adults, possibly with more complex themes or mature content, and could be from a variety of genres such as literary fiction, mystery, sci-fi, or fantasy. Question: Does the book belong to the genre of science fiction or fantasy?
Resulting in output: Does the book belong to the genre of science fiction or fantasy?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Does the book belong to the genre of science fiction or fantasy?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
Yes
Resulting in output: Yes
Yes
4. With the book being science fiction or fantasy, that opens up a lot of possibilities, including sub-genres like epic fantasy, urban fantasy, space opera, or cyberpunk, and it might have magical, supernatural, or advanced technological elements, so I'll try to get a sense of the book's setting and scope. Question: Is the book set in a completely imaginary or alternate world?
Resulting in output: Is the book set in a completely imaginary or alternate world?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the book set in a completely imaginary or alternate world?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
Yes
Resulting in output: Yes
Yes
5. So the book is set in a completely imaginary or alternate world, which suggests that it might have its own unique geography, history, and cultures, and could be part of a larger series or have a complex, detailed world-building, which is often a hallmark of epic fantasy or high fantasy. Question: Does the book have a large cast of characters and a complex, multi-plot storyline?
Resulting in output: Does the book have a large cast of characters and a complex, multi-plot storyline?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Does the book have a large cast of characters and a complex, multi-plot storyline?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
Yes
Resulting in output: Yes
Yes
6. With a large cast of characters and a complex, multi-plot storyline, the book is likely to be a substantial and immersive read, possibly with multiple point-of-view characters, and may have been influenced by authors like George R.R. Martin or Robert Jordan, who are known for their epic fantasy series, so I'll try to get a sense of the book's scale and influence. Question: Is the book part of a completed series with multiple volumes?
Resulting in output: Is the book part of a completed series with multiple volumes?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the book part of a completed series with multiple volumes?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
7. So the book is not part of a completed series, which means it could be a standalone novel, the first book in a planned series, or part of an ongoing series that has not yet been completed, and this might give me a clue about the book's publication date or the author's plans for the story. Question: Was the book written by a British or American author?
Resulting in output: Was the book written by a British or American author?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Was the book written by a British or American author?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
8. With the book not being written by a British or American author, that opens up the possibility of authors from other countries, such as Canada, Australia, or those from non-English speaking countries who write in English, and this might give me a clue about the book's cultural influences or the author's background. Question: Has the book won any major literary awards, such as the Hugo or World Fantasy Award?
Resulting in output: Has the book won any major literary awards, such as the Hugo or World Fantasy Award?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Has the book won any major literary awards, such as the Hugo or World Fantasy Award?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
Yes.
Resulting in output: Yes.
Yes.
9. With the book having won a major literary award, that suggests it has received significant recognition and acclaim within the fantasy community, and may have been widely reviewed and discussed, which could help narrow down the possibilities, and I can start to think about authors who have won such awards and written books that match the criteria so far. Question: Was the book written by a female author?
Resulting in output: Was the book written by a female author?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Was the book written by a female author?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
10. So the book was written by a male author who is not from the UK or US, has won a major literary award, and has written a fantasy novel with a complex, multi-plot storyline set in an imaginary world, which is a good set of clues to work with, and I can start to think about authors who fit this profile and have written books that have received significant recognition. Question: Is the book considered a classic of the fantasy genre, published more than 20 years ago?
Resulting in output: Is the book considered a classic of the fantasy genre, published more than 20 years ago?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the book considered a classic of the fantasy genre, published more than 20 years ago?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
Yes.
Resulting in output: Yes.
Yes.
11. With the book being a classic of the fantasy genre, published more than 20 years ago, that helps to narrow down the time period and suggests that the book has had a lasting impact on the genre, and I can start to think about influential fantasy authors who were active during that time and wrote books that match the criteria, such as Ursula K. Le Guin, Gene Wolfe, or Guy Gavriel Kay, although I've already established that the author is male and not from the UK or US. Question: Is the book part of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson?
Resulting in output: Is the book part of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the book part of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
12. So the book is not part of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, which is a significant and influential work of fantasy, but it's still a classic of the genre, published more than 20 years ago, and written by a male author from a non-English speaking country, which suggests that the book may have been translated into English and has gained international recognition, and I can continue to think about authors who fit this profile, such as Michael Moorcock, although he is British, or possibly someone like Andreas Brandhorst or Bernhard Hennen from Germany, or Mikhail Bulgakov from Russia, although his work is more surreal and fantastical than traditional fantasy. Question: Was the book originally written in a language other than English?
Resulting in output: Was the book originally written in a language other than English?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Was the book originally written in a language other than English?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
13. So the book was originally written in English, which means that the author, although not from the UK or US, is likely to be from a country where English is an official language, such as Canada, Australia, or South Africa, and has written a classic fantasy novel that has won major literary awards and has a complex, multi-plot storyline set in an imaginary world, which is a good set of clues to work with, and I can start to think about authors who fit this profile and have written books that have had a significant impact on the fantasy genre. Question: Is the author from Canada?
Resulting in output: Is the author from Canada?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the author from Canada?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
14. So the author is not from Canada, but is from a country where English is an official language, and has written a classic fantasy novel that has won major literary awards, which suggests that the author may be from a country with a strong tradition of English-language literature, such as Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa, and I can continue to think about authors who fit this profile and have written books that have had a significant impact on the fantasy genre. Question: Is the author from Australia?
Resulting in output: Is the author from Australia?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the author from Australia?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
15. So the author is not from Australia, but is from a country where English is an official language, and has written a classic fantasy novel that has won major literary awards, which suggests that the author may be from a country with a smaller but still significant literary scene, such as New Zealand or South Africa, and I can continue to think about authors who fit this profile and have written books that have had a significant impact on the fantasy genre, and I'll keep in mind that the author is male and the book is a classic of the fantasy genre. Question: Is the book "The Lies of Locke Lamora" not a match, but is the author possibly Guy Gavriel Kay, and if so, is the book "The Fionavar Tapestry" a match?
Resulting in output: Is the book "The Lies of Locke Lamora" not a match, but is the author possibly Guy Gavriel Kay, and if so, is the book "The Fionavar Tapestry" a match?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the book "The Lies of Locke Lamora" not a match, but is the author possibly Guy Gavriel Kay, and if so, is the book "The Fionavar Tapestry" a match?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
16. So the book is not "The Fionavar Tapestry" by Guy Gavriel Kay, but I'm still considering authors from countries where English is an official language, and I've already ruled out several possibilities, so I'll continue to think about other authors who might fit the profile, and I'll consider other classic fantasy novels that have won major literary awards and have had a significant impact on the genre. Question: Is the author Robin Hobb, and if so, is the book one of the earliest ones in the Farseer Trilogy, such as "Assassin's Apprentice"?
Resulting in output: Is the author Robin Hobb, and if so, is the book one of the earliest ones in the Farseer Trilogy, such as "Assassin's Apprentice"?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the author Robin Hobb, and if so, is the book one of the earliest ones in the Farseer Trilogy, such as "Assassin's Apprentice"?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
17. So the book is not by Robin Hobb, and I'll continue to consider other authors who might fit the profile, and I'll think about other classic fantasy novels that have won major literary awards and have had a significant impact on the genre, and I'll keep in mind that the author is male and the book is a classic of the fantasy genre, and I've already ruled out several possibilities, so I'll consider other authors who might fit the profile. Question: Is the book "The Last Unicorn" by Peter S. Beagle?
Resulting in output: Is the book "The Last Unicorn" by Peter S. Beagle?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the book "The Last Unicorn" by Peter S. Beagle?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
18. So the book is not "The Last Unicorn" by Peter S. Beagle, and I'll continue to think about other classic fantasy novels that have won major literary awards and have had a significant impact on the genre, and I'll consider other authors who might fit the profile, and I'll keep in mind that the author is male, the book is a classic of the fantasy genre, and it was published more than 20 years ago, and I've already ruled out several possibilities, so I'll think about other authors and books that might match the criteria. Question: Is the author Roger Zelazny, and if so, is the book one of the earliest ones in the Chronicles of Amber series, such as "Nine Princes in Amber"?
Resulting in output: Is the author Roger Zelazny, and if so, is the book one of the earliest ones in the Chronicles of Amber series, such as "Nine Princes in Amber"?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the author Roger Zelazny, and if so, is the book one of the earliest ones in the Chronicles of Amber series, such as "Nine Princes in Amber"?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No.
Resulting in output: No.
No.
19. So the book is not by Roger Zelazny, and I'll continue to think about other classic fantasy novels that have won major literary awards and have had a significant impact on the genre, and I'll consider other authors who might fit the profile, and I'll keep in mind that the author is male, the book is a classic of the fantasy genre, and it was published more than 20 years ago, and I've already ruled out several possibilities, so I'll think about other authors and books that might match the criteria, and I'll try to narrow down the options. Question: Is the book "The Earthsea Cycle" series by Ursula K. Le Guin not a match, but is the author possibly similar to her in terms of style and themes, and if so, is the book "The First Law" trilogy not a match, but is the author possibly Joe Abercrombie, no, that's not it, is the author possibly similar to Michael Moorcock, no, that's not it either, is the author possibly Gene Wolfe?
Resulting in output: Is the book "The Earthsea Cycle" series by Ursula K. Le Guin not a match, but is the author possibly similar to her in terms of style and themes, and if so, is the book "The First Law" trilogy not a match, but is the author possibly Joe Abercrombie, no, that's not it, is the author possibly similar to Michael Moorcock, no, that's not it either, is the author possibly Gene Wolfe?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the book "The Earthsea Cycle" series by Ursula K. Le Guin not a match, but is the author possibly similar to her in terms of style and themes, and if so, is the book "The First Law" trilogy not a match, but is the author possibly Joe Abercrombie, no, that's not it, is the author possibly similar to Michael Moorcock, no, that's not it either, is the author possibly Gene Wolfe?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
20. So the book is not by Gene Wolfe, and I've reached the end of my 20 questions, and I've considered many possibilities, but I haven't quite narrowed it down to a specific book, and I've learned that the book is a classic fantasy novel, published more than 20 years ago, written by a male author from a country where English is an official language, but not from the UK or US, and it has won major literary awards, and it has a complex, multi-plot storyline set in an imaginary world, and I've ruled out many possibilities, but I haven't quite guessed the book, and now I'll have to make a final guess, but I'm not confident, and I'm just going to take a wild guess and hope I get lucky. Question: Is the book "The Master and Margarita" not a match, but is the author possibly someone like Mikhail Bulgakov, no, that's not it, is the book possibly "The Worm Ouroboros" by E.R. Eddison?
Resulting in output: Is the book "The Master and Margarita" not a match, but is the author possibly someone like Mikhail Bulgakov, no, that's not it, is the book possibly "The Worm Ouroboros" by E.R. Eddison?
I'm playing 20 questions with someone. I'm thinking of the book The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Here's their question: Is the book "The Master and Margarita" not a match, but is the author possibly someone like Mikhail Bulgakov, no, that's not it, is the book possibly "The Worm Ouroboros" by E.R. Eddison?. Answer either 'Yes' or 'No'; do not answer anything else.
No
Resulting in output: No
No
I've reached the end of my 20 questions, and I haven't been able to guess the book. I've learned a lot about the book, but I haven't quite narrowed it down to a specific title. If you'd like to reveal the answer, I'd love to know what the book is and see how close I got.
Resulting in output: False