1. Did you ever want to live in 1899? Do you still want to after reading New York to London with Dr. Crippen?
2. How does Jemmy see herself? Is having a career desirable for a girl in her position? In the 19th century, women who wanted careers instead of families were considered unnatural. Does that attitude still hold true today? Was it possible then or now for a woman to “Have it all”?
3. How do you view Jemmy’s relationship with her partner, photographer Hal Dwight? With her wealthy Auntie Dee who is sponsoring her Grand Tour of Europe? With her stern chaperone Aunt Tilly?
4. The ocean becomes a character in New York to London with Dr. Crippen. In the space of a few moments, it may change from docile to violent. Despite its hazards, many people find their greatest happiness on the water. What draws sailors to the sea?
5. What is Jemmy’s attitude toward friendship with her talented pianist classmate Pervia Benigas—who now calls herself Persia Benetton? Do these views change during the course of the book?
6. Auntie Dee plans for her wild son Duncan to be tamed by a grand tour of Europe—and perhaps by a high-toned wife. Why did she include her Jemmy, Hal and her sister Tilly in the journey?
7. In real life and in New York to London with Dr. Crippen, Lucania’s Captain Horatio McKay was an exemplary skipper. Captains at sea have extraordinary power. Is that necessary? Is it a good thing? What if the skipper is like Captain Bligh in Mutiny on the Bounty?
8. After Jemmy’s father died and her mother opened their home to boarders, Jemmy had to learn to do physical work. Has that strengthened her character as well as her muscles? Would she have been the same daring Jemmy if her father had lived?
9. Trappings of 19th century life—especially food and medicine safety—take on added meaning in New York to London with Dr. Crippen. Until the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, sellers could make any claims and could legally poison buyers with goods that were adulterated, harmful or rotten. Has today’s world solved such problems or made them worse?
10. Showmanship and entertainment form a central theme. Everyone on board found some means for combating the boredom of a long sea voyage. Which would you prefer—the classical music and Shakespeare of the Grand Assembly Hall or the Cuban fiesta in steerage? How do they compare with opera and novelty horse races such as those back on terra firma?
11. Jemmy has a career she loves despite its challenges. Working as a reporter broadens her horizons, brings her into contact with new cultures and exotic people. How does she react to the Cuban fiesta? To the religious rites of the Asian sailors?
12. Like many women, Jemmy seems mightily attracted to bad boys. What is the appeal? What insight does her struggle give into the female psyche?
13. In life, some events turn out to be very different from our original hopes and plans. Auntie Dee is crushed by Duncan’s actions. Is there a lesson for us in learning how to cope? In being more considerate of others? In gaining independence from parental control?
14. Questions of money, class and social expectations run through this novel. The McBustle party, Lord Arringdale-Barks and a splurging Dr. Crippen are first class passengers. Hal and the Coldirons are in second class and the Cuban refugees are in steerage. How do their lives differ from each other?
15. Pretense and disguise form an important theme. What can we truly tell by the cut of someone’s clothes? How accurate are our first impressions? Does everyone fall victim to the biased forces that have molded each individual’s character?
