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The drone man (2023) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

FOUR MEN SAT AT A TABLE of the Explorers' Club--Hewitt, just in from two years botanical research in Abyssinia; Caranac, the ethnologist; MacLeod, poet first, and second the learned curator of the Asiatic Museum; Winston, the archeologist, who, with Kosloff the Russian, had worked over the ruins of Khara-Kora, the City of the Black Stones in the northern Gobi, once capital of the Empire of Genghis Khan.The talk had veered to werewolves, vampires, foxwomen, and similar superstitions. Directed thence by a cabled report of measures to… Sign up for the full guide

Adult • 2023 • 13 pages • High School

3.9
100+
Average rating by Bontent members
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Age
14+

This short story by A. Merritt is a brief, atmospheric exploration of supernatural superstition and folklore. It is a vintage-style intellectual discussion set within an Explorers' Club, making it suitable for older readers who enjoy classic pulp fiction. Parents should note that the text describes real-world accounts of violent occult beliefs, which may be disturbing for younger children.

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Is The drone man appropriate for kids?

This short story by A. Merritt is a brief, atmospheric exploration of supernatural superstition and folklore. It is a vintage-style intellectual discussion set within an Explorers' Club, making it suitable for older readers who enjoy classic pulp fiction. Parents should note… Read more — free account

Content severity in The drone man

Sex None 0/10
Violence Strong 5/10
Language None 0/10
Substances None 0/10
Themes Moderate 3/10

What happens in The drone man, moment by moment

  1. p. 1 🔥 Mature Themes 1/10
  2. p. 3 🔥 Mature Themes 2/10
  3. p. 5 ⚔ Violence & Gore 2/10
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Sex and nudity in The drone man

There is no sexual content in this short narrative, nor are there any romantic subplots or suggestive jokes. The story is entirely focused on a philosophical and historical debate between explorers regarding cultural superstitions. It remains academic in tone throughout the entire text, focusing on the intellectual curiosity of the men at the club. The setting is restricted to a professional masculine environment typical of early 20th-century literature. Because of this focus, the book is entirely free of any…

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Violence and gore in The drone man

The violence is presented through descriptive accounts of folklore and criminal history rather than active scenes. The narrative discusses the Leopard Society’s practice of tearing throats with steel talons and mentions a woman being beaten to death in a 'hex-murder' case. While these are recounted as reportage, the imagery is macabre and intended to unsettle the listener through historical context. The characters also mention various ritualistic deaths associated with secret societies in Africa and the Americas…

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Language in The drone man

The language is formal and dated, typical of early 20th-century adventure literature. There is no profanity, vulgarity, or offensive vernacular used within the dialogue of the characters. It reflects the educated, elevated speech patterns of its era, which may require a higher reading level for modern audiences. The vocabulary is rich and specific to fields like archaeology and ethnology, maintaining a polite and scholarly decorum. Parents will find no instances of modern swearing or crude slang throughout the…

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Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The drone man

There is no substance use depicted or discussed in the text, keeping the focus entirely on the dialogue. The characters are engaged in a serious academic dialogue about human belief systems within the setting of their club. There is no mention of alcohol, tobacco, or other substances that were commonly associated with social clubs of that time period. The narrative remains sober and analytical, avoiding any depictions of intoxication or drug use. This lack of substance-related content makes the story suitable for…

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Mature themes in The drone man

The central themes revolve around the persistence of superstition in the modern world and the intersection of myth with criminal behavior. The text explores how ancient fears regarding shapeshifting and ritualistic murder continue to influence society even in a scientific age. It presents these ideas through an intellectual lens appropriate for fans of gothic or speculative fiction. Readers will encounter discussions on lycanthropy, the 'evil eye', and the psychological impact of folklore on the human mind. The…

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is The drone man appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests The drone man is best for ages 14+. This short story by A. Merritt is a brief, atmospheric exploration of supernatural superstition and folklore. It is a vintage-style intellectual discussion set within an Explorers' Club, making it suitable for older…

What age rating does The drone man have?

Books don't carry official age ratings. The drone man 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 14+.

What reading level is The drone man?

The drone man is 13 pages and its reading level is High School. Bontent recommends it for ages 14+.

What is The drone man about?

This short story by A. Merritt is a brief, atmospheric exploration of supernatural superstition and folklore. It is a vintage-style intellectual discussion set within an Explorers' Club, making it suitable for older readers who enjoy classic pulp fiction. Parents should note that the text describes real-world accounts…

Is there sex or nudity in The drone man?

There is no sexual content in this short narrative, nor are there any romantic subplots or suggestive jokes. The story is entirely focused on a philosophical and historical debate between explorers regarding cultural superstitions. It remains academic in tone…

How violent is The drone man?

The violence is presented through descriptive accounts of folklore and criminal history rather than active scenes. The narrative discusses the Leopard Society’s practice of tearing throats with steel talons and mentions a woman being beaten to death in a…

Is the language in The drone man appropriate for kids?

The language is formal and dated, typical of early 20th-century adventure literature. There is no profanity, vulgarity, or offensive vernacular used within the dialogue of the characters. It reflects the educated, elevated speech patterns of its era, which…

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in The drone man?

There is no substance use depicted or discussed in the text, keeping the focus entirely on the dialogue. The characters are engaged in a serious academic dialogue about human belief systems within the setting of their club. There is no mention of alcohol…

What mature themes appear in The drone man?

The central themes revolve around the persistence of superstition in the modern world and the intersection of myth with criminal behavior. The text explores how ancient fears regarding shapeshifting and ritualistic murder continue to influence society even in…

Where can I read the full The drone man parent guide?

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