literature

By Rebecca Reed

Many of the classics that we know and love today were frowned upon due to their content. So we have compiled a list of banned books for Banned Book Week, and some may surprise you.

Angus Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging – Louise Rennison
The first in the hugely popular teenage angst series that featured on many a high school girls bookshelves, the main character Georgia Nicholson discussed boys, lesbianism, pornography and erections this subject material made this book a target for censorship in US schools.

His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman
This popular trilogy was mostly criticised in the US for its apparent attack on the church and religion altogether. The author Philip Pullman does admit the books are about “The Killing of God”. To add to the books controversial nature, the sexual awakening of Lyra has been removed from some editions.

The Lord of the Rings – J. R. R. Tolkien.
This book has been banned in the past as they are deemed as “satanic” and the books were even burned by members of a church in New Mexico. However, J. R. R. Tolkien was a devout Christian and many scholars note Christian themes in his work.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
A childhood novel that has been the pinnacle of many bedtime stories and adaptions Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was banned in China because the animals in the novel were acting on the same level as humans.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling.
A favourite of ours here at World of Books, we are the first to jump at any Harry Potter goodness. So, we were surprised to learn that the first book in the wizarding saga was banned and burned in many US states for promoting witchcraft.

Gone with the Wind – Margaret Mitchel
The novel that set many hearts aflutter with the introduction of Rhett Butler. This novel has been banned in various US states for containing racist language.

Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck
A staple of many English literature GCSE lessons here in England but this novella contained offensive and vulgar language, racism, sexism and promoted euthanasia. These are all accusations that this book has received. Due to the above reasons you will often find this book on the American list of the most censored book in schools.

Animal Farm – George Orwell
Animal Farm powerfully demonstrates the importance of democracy and freedom of speech. However, allied forces found the book critical of the USSR and found it too controversial to print during war-time. A play of Animal Farm was banned in Kenya as it was too critical of corrupt leaders. You will often find this and Nineteen Eighty-Four by the same author on the banned books list.

There are many other Banned Books and many are still banned today. You can stock up on all your bookish needs here at World of Books.