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
