Literature is such a controversial and wonderful thing that
over the years, there are many books that have been banned or censored. Now
each year, readers across the world celebrate Banned Books Week, the annual
celebration of the freedom to read. It is celebrated September 21st-27th.
The thing about a lot of these banned books – they are
amazing literary cornerstones…in fact, many of them were made into successful
movies! Here are some banned books I’ve enjoyed. Explore and find out for
yourself:
- The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger – while I thoroughly understand why this book may be an irritating read for an adult, that’s probably because it was written to be read through a teenager’s eyes.
- The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck – he was called a propagandist and a socialist after he wrote this book.
- To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee – apparently banned for its racial content, profanity, and references to rape…but it’s a classic all the same.
- The Color Purple, by Alice Walker – Up to last December, the fight againt this book was still being waged (in Brunswick County).
- The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding – not considered palatable because people could not deal with the implication that man is little more than an animal.
- Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
- Animal Farm, by George Orwell
- Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell
- Native Son, by Richard Wright
- The Call of the Wild (and White Fang), by Jack London
I enjoyed the colour purple as a movie. .. But found it even more fulfilling as a book. ...I love banned books week. ...yeaaaa
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see that four of these books (The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men and Animal Farm) were part of my book list for literature class back in secondary school. I had NO idea they were actually banned at one time. Thank goodness I was able to access and read these books whenever I wanted, and I also read The Colour Purple for my own pleasure and enjoyed it - though some parts made me cry, lol. Any writer that decides to write about racism, eroticism, classism and certain forms of hatred will risk being pressured, but I am glad that these books are being celebrated for their "outrage". *thumbs up for banned books* :-)
ReplyDeleteVery very interesting, I did not know that some of these books were banned books. I am actually doing The Great Gatsby and To Kill a Mockingbird this semester for one of my courses..
ReplyDeleteYes, very interesting indeed...I've also done some of these books in literature classes...I think the Caribbean is probably much more appreciative of and open-minded to good literature...'we ain't banning anything' :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you highlighted Banned Books Week, Stephanie. It would have been even better if you'd contextualised it a bit more by sharing some background, or a link or two. It's always interesting to see where these books are banned, and why.
ReplyDeleteSir, are you renaming me? :) I'm Christine, not Stephanie. And I will soon be talking about why books are banned as a guest post on Disturbing the Normies blog
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