Abandoned (2016) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

This category is not present in the novel. The narrative maintains a strictly platonic and professional tone throughout the journey across the globe. Phileas Fogg treats Aouda with utmost chivalry and distance for the majority of their travels, offering her protection rather than romantic advances. The story concludes with a modest proposal of marriage between Fogg and Aouda in Chapter 35, focusing entirely on mutual respect, companionship, and the shared ordeal they survived. There is no physical intimacy or…

Violence is moderate for the time period and follows the conventions of 19th-century adventure. High-stakes scenes include the rescue of Aouda from a funeral pyre in Chapter 13, where the threat of human sacrifice is central. Later, an attack on a train by Sioux warriors involves gunfire and the kidnapping of Passepartout in Chapter 30. Fogg also stages a bloodless mutiny on the Henrietta, confining the captain to his cabin to take control of the vessel. While some characters are threatened with death, the…

The language is very mild and appropriate for all ages. There is no modern profanity or vulgarity used by the characters. Most dialogue is formal and polite, reflecting the rigid social standards of Victorian England and Phileas Fogg’s own disciplined personality. Occasional dated Victorian exclamations such as 'By Jove!' or 'Great Heaven!' are used to express surprise or frustration. Some historical terms used to describe different ethnicities may be considered insensitive or outdated by modern standards.

Substance use is minor and limited to historical context. In Chapter 19, Detective Fix lures Passepartout into an opium den in Hong Kong and provides him with a pipe to drug him, preventing him from alerting Fogg to a ship's departure. The narrative depicts the den as a place of gloom and stupor, showing the negative effects of the drug. Characters occasionally consume wine or spirits with meals, such as Fogg having claret at the Reform Club. There is no glamorization of substance abuse throughout the journey.

The narrative explores themes of honor, punctuality, and the rapid technological progress of the 19th century. Phileas Fogg’s obsession with precision serves as a lens for examining human discipline and the triumph of science. However, some historical depictions of Indian, Chinese, and Native American cultures reflect colonial-era biases and Eurocentric viewpoints. These portrayals often use stereotypes that require modern parental context to explain. The story ultimately celebrates loyalty and the unexpected…