A choice of gods (1977) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

There is no explicit sexual content in this novel. Romantic relationships are non-existent or purely platonic/historical in nature, reflecting the remote and detached status of the characters like Jason Whitney and his wife, Martha. The book maintains a sterile, contemplative tone throughout that avoids any focus on physical intimacy, preferring to focus on the evolution of the mind. Even in the presence of the robot populations and the long-lived humans, there is a total lack of carnal desire or imagery. It is…

Violence is rare and primarily abstract, concerning the displacement of humanity or the conflicts between mechanical beings. There are no descriptions of gore, torture, or intense physical confrontations typical of action-oriented sci-fi; the closest the narrative gets to conflict is the intellectual tension regarding the 'Principle'. Any mention of past violence is handled as a matter of historical record rather than sensory experience, such as the quiet disappearance of billions. A minor sense of peril exists…

The language used is typical of 1970s science fiction, characterized by formal, clean prose. There is an absence of coarse profanity, slurs, or aggressive vernacular throughout the narrative, as the characters are largely solitary or highly civilized. Characters like Hezekiah or the Whitney family communicate with a level of intellectual restraint befitting their status as long-lived, potentially god-like beings. The dialogue is structured around inquiry rather than emotion or vulgarity. Parents will find the…

Substance use is absent from the text. The characters occupy a world where the concerns of biology and mortal indulgence have long been transcended by extreme longevity and isolation. There are no scenes involving alcohol, narcotics, or any other form of consumption that might be flagged as a concern, as the characters live off the land in a meditative state. The setting focuses on metaphysical existence rather than physical vice or chemical dependency. The robots, naturally, have no use for substances, and the…

The central themes involve the weight of immortality, the loss of human ambition, and the irony of human creations (robots) inheriting the Earth while building their own religions. It discusses existential nihilism and the struggle to find meaning in a world where survival is no longer an issue for the few remaining souls. These themes are intellectually dense, touching on the 'Principle'—a cosmic, indifferent intelligence—and may be difficult for younger readers to engage with. It serves as a study on the…