Around the World in 80 Days (2012) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

Virtually non-existent throughout the narrative. Phileas Fogg and Aouda share a polite, chaste relationship that culminates in a proposal of marriage at the end of the book. Their interactions are defined by 19th-century Victorian etiquette, focusing on mutual gratitude and respect rather than physical intimacy. There are no scenes of kissing or romantic contact beyond holding hands or a modest embrace. The narrative focus remains strictly on the logistics of travel and the deadline of the wager. Readers will find…

Moderate for the time period and genre. The most significant sequence involves the rescue of Aouda from a 'suttee' ritual where she is being forced into a funeral pyre, which is described with high tension. There are several brawls, including one at a political rally in San Francisco and another with Sioux warriors on a train involving gunfire. A duel is nearly fought between Fogg and Colonel Proctor, though it is interrupted by the train attack. While there is peril, the descriptions avoid graphic gore, focusing…

Very mild and consistent with the literature of the 1870s. Occasional use of 19th-century exhalations and terms like 'confound it' or 'by Jove' appear when characters are under stress. There is no coarse profanity or modern vulgarity present in the text. Insults are generally related to a character's competence or honesty rather than anatomical or sacrilegious terms. The dialogue is extremely formal, even during moments of high tension or physical danger. Parents may find it a useful example of archaic English…

Substance use is infrequent but central to one specific plot point in Hong Kong. Detective Fix lures Passepartout into an opium den, where the air is thick with smoke and the patrons are in a stupor. Passepartout is encouraged to smoke and is rendered unconscious/intoxicated for an extended period, causing him to miss his ship. This scene serves as a cautionary plot device highlighting Fix's desperation to stop Fogg. Elsewhere, characters consume wine or spirits with meals in a manner typical for the era. The…

The book explores themes of punctuality, honor, and globalism, but is heavily influenced by British Imperialism and contains outdated observations regarding non-Western cultures. Descriptions of India, the American West, and Asia often reflect a colonial mindset that views these regions as exotic or 'uncivilized.' The plot relies on Phileas Fogg’s immense wealth and privilege to bypass obstacles, reflecting Victorian class structures. Modern readers should be prepared to discuss the historical context of these…