Like movies and TV shows, some books have been banned in different parts of the world for various reasons. Quite often, the reasons for this revolve around obscene language, depiction of sexual imagery, criticizing certain cultures, or promoting division amongst society members. Interestingly, after a book has been banned, it attracts more readers. This further prove the psychological claims that humans naturally crave what they can’t have. That aside, here are some famous books that have been banned over time.
1. The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie
Just from the title, this book was destined to cause controversy from the minute it was published in 1988. The Satanic Verses highlights the lives of two Muslim men who are finding it challenging to embrace Westernization.
It also goes on to transcribe the Quran and defame a character based on the Prophet Muhammad. In many Muslim countries, The Satanic Verses experienced a huge backlash. In Iran, for instance, the execution of Salman Rushdie and the editors were ordered by the then religious leader, Ayatollah Khomeini. The book was banned in Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, and India, where Salman was born. The author was forced to walk with bodyguards and change his address frequently.
2. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Even the author of Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov, was afraid of publishing it. However, after being persuaded by his wife, he launched the book with the help of an adult film press company in 1955, and it became an immediate best-seller.
This book was banned because it tells the story of a middle-aged man called Humbert who becomes infatuated with a 12-year-old girl named Lolita, a classic example of hebephilia. Even though some scholars have praised Vladimir’s ability to explore themes such as forbidden desire and obsession, it was banned in several countries, including the United States of America, Argentina, England, France, and South Africa.
3. Melissa by Alex Gino
The book Melissa by Alex Gino was initially published as “George” in 2015. It’s a story about a 10-year-old trans-girl who faces criticism from her parents and peers. While the author has won multiple awards since its publication, the backlash has been immense. This is mainly because of the LGBTQ+ content targeted at Grade 3 to Grade 7 readers.
Alex Gino, who also identifies as non-binary, gives a vivid definition of what it’s like to be a trans-girl in the modern world. On the other hand, the religious community has constantly battled the book’s accessibility to young children, claiming that it affects the morals of society. As a result, it was challenged three times in a row and is one of the top 10 banned books in the American Library Association.
4. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
After the assassination of her friend Martin Luther King Jr, Maya Angelou sought refuge by writing the book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings“. The book mainly talks about Maya’s experience with racism while living in the South in the 1930s.
Upon its release in 1969, the book was a candidate for several awards, including the National Book Award nomination. It quickly became a best-seller because it was written by a renowned author, and the timing was perfect.
However, after its release, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” has been banned more than 30 times worldwide. For instance, the Alabama Textbook Committee claimed that the book portrays hatred towards white people. Other reasons why people have opted to distance themselves from the book include the use of profanity, depiction of premarital sex, and lesbianism, which are very sensitive topics.
5. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
After writing about how Joseph Stalin betrayed the purpose of the Bolshevik Revolution in the book Animal Farm, published in 1945, George Orwell published Nineteen Eighty-Four 4 years later. It told the story of a regular citizen who was trying to run away from a dystopian government and explored themes that were synonymous with the Soviets. These included censorship, nationalism, privacy, and sexual repression.
After its publication, Stalin banned George’s book in Russia, but it remained legal in other parts of the world. Several factions in the US tried to remove Nineteen Eighty-Four from the shelves, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Numerous scholars have since praised this book for being informative.
6. The Naked Lunch by William Burroughs
A quick overview of The Naked Lunch might make one think it’s a collection of short stories. However, it is a coherent novel that is characterized by the use of grotesque imagery, profanity, sexual promiscuity, and drug abuse.
The Naked Lunch by William Burroughs was first published in France in 1959, but its publication in the US was halted because of the obscenity laws that were being enforced at that time. It was published three years later but faced numerous bans and criticism, with several states in North America actively challenging it.
7. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Published in 1970, The Bluest Eye is a story about an African-American woman called Pecola Breedlove who lived in Lorain, Ohio. Pecola’s perception of beauty was being white, and that’s why she craved to have blue eyes.
At first, the book wasn’t very popular. However, over the years, it has become famous and continues to be challenged for portraying child molestation, incest, racism, violence, and adult activities.
8. Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller
Throughout his career, Henry Miller never shied away from including obscenity and adult content in his writings. However, in his autobiography, Tropic of Cancer, the author took things a notch higher. He vividly narrated his tantalizing experience as he engaged in adult activities in France.
Besides writing the book as if he was celebrating many of the things that the majority considered vices, Henry Miller also went on to write a text about anti-Semitism, misogyny, and racism. It was initially published in France in 1934 for English-speaking readers. However, after deep reflection of the context of the book, the authorities began pushing for its ban. This created a sense of mystery around Henry Miller, leading to hundreds of people smuggling the book into the country. They wanted to read about his fascinating exploits in the adult world.