Remarkable Creatures (2010) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

The book contains limited physical intimacy, but sexual tension and consequences are central to one plot thread involving Colonel Birch and Bessy. A character is seduced and abandoned by a man, leading to a public scandal and the term 'ruined' being applied to her during Elizabeth's investigations. There are brief mentions of the physical mechanics of attraction, the discomfort of tight stays, and the social implications of pregnancy out of wedlock. While no graphic acts are depicted on page, the emotional fallout…

Moderate physical peril involves the dangerous and unstable cliffs of Lyme Regis where Mary hunts for specimens. A character is nearly killed in a landslide, and the tragic death of Mary's dog Tray is a poignant and traumatic moment in the story. The narrative recounts Mary being struck by lightning as an infant, which resulted in the death of the woman holding her. There is no intentional interpersonal violence or gore, though the harshness of the elements leads to injury, such as Mary's father suffering from a…

Language is very mild and consistent with the 19th-century setting and the social standing of the Philpot sisters. There are occasional uses of 'damn' or religious exclamations like 'Lord' used in a period-appropriate context, but no modern profanity or graphic expletives. The prose reflects the formal and constrained vocabulary of the Regency and early Victorian eras. Most 'offensive' language is limited to social slights or descriptions of characters being 'besmirched' or 'ruined.' It is entirely suitable for a…

Social drinking of wine and tea is common for the time period and is depicted as a standard part of meals and social visits between the Philpots and their neighbors. Laudanum is mentioned in a medical context for illness or pain relief, reflecting historical medical practices of the 1800s. There is no recreational drug use or excessive, glorified intoxication depicted in the narrative. Characters might share a glass of sherry or port during dinner, but these moments are brief and serve to illustrate the domestic…

Major themes include the conflict between emerging scientific discovery (paleontology) and rigid religious doctrine regarding creation and the Bible. The narrative also heavily features gender inequality, as Mary is excluded from the Geological Society and the limitations placed on women's intellects are constantly felt by Elizabeth. Classism is present in the divide between the working-class Annings and the middle-class Philpots, alongside the grief over losing multiple siblings to childhood illness. The…