Dickens & Rumi

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The Power

Naomi Alderman · 1998

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The Power by Naomi Alderman. This book is recommended for ages 17+; content notes include Violence, Death of a character, Frightening scenes; positive qualities include Creativity & curiosity, Positive messages.

Ages 17+Source checked

Why this age? Strong and sometimes disturbing violence, sexual violence, coercion, torture, death, and mature political and ethical themes make this best suited to older teens and adults. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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At a glance

Recommended age17+

Strongest cautions

  • Violence5/5
  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Positive messages4/5
  • Courage & resilience3/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

The book does not promote commercial brands or products.

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Deaths occur amid political violence and conflict; mortality and the dehumanizing effects of power are important themes.

Graphic injury3/5
Why this rating?

Descriptions of physical injuries and the consequences of electrical attacks can be intense and visceral.

Strong language3/5
Why this rating?

Frequent use of strong language and profanity consistent with a gritty dystopian setting.

LGBTQIA characters2/5
Why this rating?

Characters' sexual orientations are secondary to the primary themes of the book.

Religious themes3/5
Why this rating?

Religion is a central theme, as the power shift leads to the formation of new, female-led religious structures.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Some romantic and sexual relationships appear, but romance is secondary to the novel's political and social ideas.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Sustained menace includes persecution, torture, mob violence, frightening power shifts, and psychological terror. The disturbing dystopian threat is central, though not a supernatural horror story.

Sexual content & nudity4/5
Why this rating?

Sexual activity, coercion, sexual violence, exploitation, and gendered power dynamics receive substantial mature treatment.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Substance use is present as part of character behavior and social settings, but is not the focus.

Violence5/5
Why this rating?

Violence is central, including assaults, warfare, torture, executions, abuse of power, and attacks using electrical abilities.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters confront oppression and danger, though courage is mixed with retaliation, ambition, and morally harmful choices.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Its provocative speculative premise and layered reversal of gendered power strongly invite imaginative and critical thinking.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Features a global cast of characters from various backgrounds and perspectives, though focused on power roles.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

It encourages analysis of patriarchy, political systems, historical narratives, ethics, and social power, though it is fiction rather than instruction.

Kindness & empathy1/5
Why this rating?

Compassion and solidarity appear, but they are repeatedly threatened by domination, revenge, fear, and institutional violence.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

The novel explores how power corrupts, how oppression can reverse rather than disappear, and how institutions rationalize cruelty.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Characters show intelligence, resilience, and courage, but many also commit or enable serious harm; moral modeling is intentionally complicated.

Family discussion

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Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. How did the story handle conflict or violence? Did the characters have other choices?
  3. Which choice in The Power would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Power, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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