Poster for Age of Vice

Age of Vice (2020) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

“Beautiful, poignant, pitch perfect and accessible . . . a road-map for clinicians, patients, family members, and caregivers”—BJ Miller, MD, author of  A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death This groundbreaking book encourages us to face our fears and engage in an open, honest dialog about death.  Here, longtime “death doula” Henry Fersko-Weiss helps the dying discover meaning in their lives, express that meaning in powerful and beautiful legacies, and plan for their final days with… Sign up for the full guide

Adult • 2020 • 300 pages • College

3.6
Average rating by Bontent members
Sign up for full access
Age
16+

This non-fiction book is a compassionate guide to end-of-life care and the role of 'death doulas.' It is recommended for adult readers or mature teens interested in healthcare, as it deals extensively with terminal illness, the physical process of dying, and grief. Parents should note that while the tone is clinical and supportive, the book describes the reality of death and the intense emotional labor of caregiving.

Sign up to get 40,000+ Bontent parent guides
Unlock ratings, reviews, recommendations and guides for all content types

Is Age of Vice appropriate for kids?

This non-fiction book is a compassionate guide to end-of-life care and the role of 'death doulas.' It is recommended for adult readers or mature teens interested in healthcare, as it deals extensively with terminal illness, the physical process of dying, and grief. Parents… Read more — free account

Content severity in Age of Vice

Sex None 0/10
Violence None 0/10
Language None 0/10
Substances Mild 2/10
Themes Strong 6/10

What happens in Age of Vice, moment by moment

  1. p. 12 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
  2. p. 28 🔥 Mature Themes 2/10
  3. p. 45 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
Unlock all 18 flagged passages — free account →

Sex and nudity in Age of Vice

This category is not present in the book. The text remains strictly focused on the professional and spiritual aspects of palliative care, end-of-life planning, and the role of a death doula. There are no descriptions of romantic or sexual encounters, nor any sexual themes discussed in the context of counseling. The reading level is adult, focusing entirely on the emotional and logistical needs of terminal patients and their families. The author maintains a respectful, clinical, and empathetic boundary throughout…

Read more — free account

Violence and gore in Age of Vice

There are no acts of physical violence, combat, or intentional harm described in this work. The book does discuss the biological 'violence' of terminal disease, describing how cancer or organ failure can impact the human body in a medical context. These descriptions are designed to educate caregivers on what to expect during the final stages of life. The tone is observational and compassionate rather than sensational or graphic. There is no interpersonal conflict that leads to physical aggression within the case…

Read more — free account

Language in Age of Vice

Language is used in a professional, empathetic, and academic manner consistent with a guidebook on counseling and healthcare. There are no instances of profanity, vulgarity, or aggressive verbal exchanges in the text. The author, Deeps Singh, utilizes clinical terminology for anatomical and pharmacological descriptions. Any intensity in the writing comes from the emotional gravity of the subject matter rather than strong language. The book is suitable for readers who prefer content without expletives or harsh…

Read more — free account

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Age of Vice

References to substances are minimal and strictly confined to medical and palliative contexts. The text mentions medications used in hospice care, such as morphine, fentanyl, and benzodiazepines, solely for the purpose of pain management and anxiety reduction in terminal patients. There is no recreational drug use or alcohol consumption depicted as a narrative element. The discussion focuses on the ethics and efficacy of chemical comfort during the dying process. These mentions are clinical and do not promote or…

Read more — free account

Mature themes in Age of Vice

The book explores heavy themes of mortality, terminal illness, legacy-building, and the psychological impact of profound loss. It features detailed discussions on sitting vigil, the sensory experience of witnessing death, and the duties of a death doula. The emotional labor of caregiving is a primary focus, highlighting the strain on family members during a 24-hour vigil. Readers will encounter sensitive topics including the fear of the unknown, the stages of grief, and the ritualization of post-death care. The…

Read more — free account

Bontent Member Reviews

Register for free to join the conversation!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Age of Vice appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Age of Vice is best for ages 16+. This non-fiction book is a compassionate guide to end-of-life care and the role of 'death doulas.' It is recommended for adult readers or mature teens interested in healthcare, as it deals extensively with terminal…

What age rating does Age of Vice have?

Books don't carry official age ratings. Age of Vice is shelved by its publisher as Adult, but that's a marketing category, not a content rating — Bontent's own review of what's actually on the page puts it at ages 16+.

What reading level is Age of Vice?

Age of Vice is 300 pages and its reading level is College. Bontent recommends it for ages 16+.

What is Age of Vice about?

This non-fiction book is a compassionate guide to end-of-life care and the role of 'death doulas.' It is recommended for adult readers or mature teens interested in healthcare, as it deals extensively with terminal illness, the physical process of dying, and grief. Parents should note that while the tone is clinical…

Is there sex or nudity in Age of Vice?

This category is not present in the book. The text remains strictly focused on the professional and spiritual aspects of palliative care, end-of-life planning, and the role of a death doula. There are no descriptions of romantic or sexual encounters, nor any…

How violent is Age of Vice?

There are no acts of physical violence, combat, or intentional harm described in this work. The book does discuss the biological 'violence' of terminal disease, describing how cancer or organ failure can impact the human body in a medical context. These…

Is the language in Age of Vice appropriate for kids?

Language is used in a professional, empathetic, and academic manner consistent with a guidebook on counseling and healthcare. There are no instances of profanity, vulgarity, or aggressive verbal exchanges in the text. The author, Deeps Singh, utilizes…

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in Age of Vice?

References to substances are minimal and strictly confined to medical and palliative contexts. The text mentions medications used in hospice care, such as morphine, fentanyl, and benzodiazepines, solely for the purpose of pain management and anxiety reduction…

What mature themes appear in Age of Vice?

The book explores heavy themes of mortality, terminal illness, legacy-building, and the psychological impact of profound loss. It features detailed discussions on sitting vigil, the sensory experience of witnessing death, and the duties of a death doula. The…

Where can I read the full Age of Vice parent guide?

Create a free Bontent account to unlock page-level notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your watchlist.

Sign up for access to 40,000+ parent guides.