In a novel set in this state, a character who makes wood carvings of Noah’s Ark becomes obsessed with gold. An author wrote about seeing “pink elephants” in an autobiographical novel set in this state, John Barleycorn. Accusations of racism 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 to the corpse of his friend Marcus. A dispute over a railroad in this state inspired the novel The Octopus which, like its author’s novel McTeague, is set in this state. Before being stolen and sent to Alaska, Buck lives with Judge Miller in this state in Call of the Wild. For 10 points, name this state where Jack London was born and where Frank Norris wrote about San Joaquin and Death Valley. ■END■
ANSWER: California [or CA]
<American Literature>
= Average correct buzz position