The Silkworm

To what extent is Cormoran Strike a traditional detective? In what ways does he subvert or modernize the genre archetype?

Analyze the function of Bombyx Mori, the manuscript within the novel. What does it reveal about the characters, and what is the significance of metafiction in the broader novel?

Robin Ellacott’s role expands significantly in The Silkworm. How does her character development challenge traditional gender roles within detective fiction?

What role does physical gore and bodily imagery play in The Silkworm?

Examine the theme of Identity and Performance in the novel. How does this relate to Galbraith’s choice to write under a pseudonym?

Discuss the representation of class The Silkworm. How does the novel portray the divide between working-class background and literary elites?

How does Galbraith approach the idea of justice in The Silkworm?

Is justice ultimately served? In what ways might it still need to be enacted?

How do Strike’s physical disability and chronic pain shape his identity as a detective? How does disability offer commentary on perception and wellness elsewhere in the novel?