In a novel set in this state, a character who makes wood carvings of Noah’s Ark becomes obsessed (10[1])with gold. An author wrote about seeing “pink elephants” in an autobiographical novel set in this state, (-5[1])John Barleycorn. Accusations of racism (10[1])have been levied against an author for his depiction of a “strong” but “stupid” dentist from this state who kills his wife Trina and ends up handcuffed (10[1])to the corpse of his friend Marcus. A dispute over a railroad (10[1])in this state inspired the novel The Octopus which, like (-5[1])its author’s novel McTeague, is set in this state. Before being stolen and sent to Alaska, Buck (10[1])lives with Judge Miller in this state (10[1])in Call of the Wild. For 10 points, (10[1])name this state where Jack London was born and where Frank (10[1])Norris wrote about San Joaquin and Death Valley. ■END■ (10[1])