Dickens & Rumi

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Total control

David Baldacci · 1996

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Total control by David Baldacci. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Violence, Frightening scenes; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Good role models.

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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Violence4/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Good role models3/5
  • Positive messages3/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Corporate and technology settings may involve products and business interests, but the book does not primarily promote brands or purchases.

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Murder and significant loss are important to the story, including the protagonist's grief and pursuit of answers.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional descriptions of injuries, but not gratuitous or excessive.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Some mild to moderate coarse language typical of the thriller genre.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Focuses on the protagonist's marriage and efforts to reconcile the past, but is not a romance novel.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

A tense crime thriller involving killings, pursuit and threats—frightening for some readers, though not primarily supernatural or horror-focused.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Mild references; no explicit scenes.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Incidental use of alcohol, typical of adult thriller settings.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Murder, attacks, threats and recurring peril are central to the crime-thriller plot; violence is generally more suspenseful than graphic.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Main character takes significant risks to uncover the truth.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Engaging, well-plotted thriller narrative.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The available information suggests limited representation beyond conventional 1990s thriller roles; supporting characters may have varied backgrounds.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Provides insight into corporate/legal dynamics, though fictionalized.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Characters display loyalty and support for family.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Focuses on truth, resilience, and questioning authority.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Protagonist shows resilience and determination.

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

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in Total control would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Total control, and what caused that change?
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