gweneiriol | Reading Club Discussion: March (Reply)

So, it's FINALLY time to start talking about March's book; A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!

Just a few things about the discussion:

1. Please remember to be courteous to all members and not start a flame war on my LJ.
2. I will post the main discussion questions in this post. If you want to start your own discussion in this thread, please comment to the main post w/the following in the subject line of the comment, "New Discussion: [insert question or summary of discussion]"
3. Have fun! :D

A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Summary: Dr. John Watson is recovering in London from a war wound when his finances forces him to seek out a roommate or face living on the streets. Fortunately, a friend introduces him to Mr. Sherlock Holmes, another gentleman needing a roommate due to finances, and thus begins one of the most famous literary friendships of all time. As the two get to know each other, Watson discovers that Holmes is a private detective with his own unique ways of solving crimes. When Scotland Yard comes seeking Holmes help, Watson gets to see the man, and his technique, in action.

About the author: Born in 1859 in Scotland, Arthur Conan Doyle, would go on to study medicine and to practice medicine before starting his career as an author. A Study in Scarlet, his first published Holmes work, was released in 1887. The novel was originally titled, A Tangled Skein, and the main character were named Sheridan Hope and Ormand Sacker but would be changed before publication. Arthur Conan Doyle would go on to publish many more books, plays, poetry, and more and, in 1902, would be knighted. Sir Doyle wrote 56 Holmes short stories and four Holmes novels before his death in 1930 at age 71. (info obtained from Wikipedia and the official Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Literary Estate websites)

1. Was there anything about the setting of the story that enhanced the story (or took away from it)?
2. Did you find any homoerotic subtext in this story? If so, where and with which characters?
3. If you are a first time reader of this story, was there anything that shocked you about the character(s) or story?
4. Did you discover any specific themes the author was trying to get across in the tale?
5. Did you find, as you were reading, that any knowledge you have on current forensics practices affected how you read the story and your view of Sherlock Holmes?
6. "You say that we go around the sun. If we went around the moon it would not make a pennyworth of difference to m or to my work." Holmes says this to Watson as they are talking about Holmes' methods for solving crimes. Throught this scene, it is revealed that Holmes isn't knowledgeable about certain things that Watson feels one should know, did you find yourself agreeing with Holmes or Watson?
7. The popular culture image of Sherlock Holmes seems to be a standoffish genius, who's a bit cold, but this novel seems to contradict this image. How do you see Holmes?

There's not many questions, at this time, but I'm sure we'll add more as we go along. Thanks again for participating and I look forward to your comments and insights!