In this modern day of ‘anything goes’ it is hard to believe that there are still books being censored, banned or challenged. The list is longer than you can imagine. Some of the books are so controversial that it is understandable that someone would object to them. My guess is that for every book written there is at least one person who would find something in the book that they did not care for.
Some of the books I have read and enjoyed and I have to wonder what that says about me. I recently watched the movie “Bridge to Terabithia” based on the book by Katherine Patterson. It didn’t make me think of Satanism, but that was the objection listed. The Harry Potter series of books made the list also for the use of magic and because Harry stood up to authority figures. Some people might think that an admirable trait.
Would it surprise you to know that the 1969 American Heritage Dictionary was on that list because it contained 39 objectionable words that were considered slang? Shockingly, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was said to be indecent, objectionable and obscene. Was there something that I missed?
The Color Purple was a Pulitzer Prize winning novel and was made into a much acclaimed movie. It was banned all over the world for graphic violence and sexuality. Surely the people who objected to all of these books are not watching TV today!
There are, of course, books on the list that were totally understandable to me. Fanny Hill, written in 1749 was banned because of blunt sexual descriptions. The funny thing there was the author left out the worst things so he wouldn’t be sent to jail after the book was published. Lolita reflected moral disintegration. Portnoy’s Complaint made the hit list too for being sexually explicit. I thought it was rather funny.
While it is true that there are books out there that should not be read by children or even some teens, I think most adults can and would put down any book they found objectionable without being told to do so.
I'm taking a college literature class and we've been discussing banned books. Needless to say I was shocked to see how many historically popular books were banned at one time or another.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe in this day and age that books are still banned. Harry Potter? What gives with that??
ReplyDeleteA dictionary? I remember being in high school trying to look up bad words. I went to an all girls private school. I sure didn't find much of anything.
ReplyDeleteI just watched the original Frankenstein with some friends last week. It was a great movie for it's time. I'm thinking a remake with today's special effects would be awesome. That would give the critics something to write about. I'm puzzled about what they considered obscene about it.
ReplyDeleteThe Color Purple was an awesome book and a great movie. That's what life was like back then. If the story hadn't been told truthfully, it would not have been the great tale that it was. I'm just glad that things are changing in today's world.
ReplyDeleteWhat about 'Coming through the Rye'... the spin-off of Salinger's 'Catcher'. This has been banned from publication due to a lawsuit brought about by Salinger.
ReplyDeleteAlso, what about book banning as it is used by the publisher or author to increase the value of a particular book. 'Coming through the Rye' now sells for $300.00 and it has only been banned for a week or so at the time of this writing...