Controversial Books – Find Out Why Famous Novels Were Challenged and Banned

Many famous books have been challenged, censored, or banned. Let us have a look at the reasons for doing so.

A Wrinkle in Time

It is an award-winning book written by Madeleine L’Engle. But it is controversial because of its offensive language and objectionable religious content.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

This story by Harriet Beecher Stowe is banned for its language and also for social reasons.

Ulysses

This story by James Joyce is objectionable due to sexual reasons.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee discussed racial problems in the book. It is controversial due to social and sexual reasons.

Song of Solomon

This novel, written by Toni Morrison, is controversial due to sexual and social reasons..

Of Mice and Men

This novel by John Steinbeck is controversial because of social reasons. Its characterization and language are vulgar and offensive.

Moll Flanders

This book, written by Daniel Defoe, is not acceptable because of sexual reasons.

Madame Bovary

This novel, written by Gustave Flaubert, is banned for sexual reasons.

The Lord of the Flies

This book, written by William Golding, is not acceptable because of its objectionable language and excessive violence.

A Light in the Attic

One library claimed that this book written by Shel Silverstein glorifies Satan, cannibalism, and suicide. It encourages children to disobey their parents.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover

This story, written by D.H. Lawrence, is objectionable as it is sexually explicit.

James and the Giant Peach

Some people feel that this novel by Roald Dahl promotes the use of drugs and alcohol, encourages children to disobey their parents, and uses inappropriate language.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

This story by Maya Angelou is objectionable for sexual explicitness and vulgar language.

Gulliver’s Travels

This story by Jonathan Swift did not get accepted because it contained some references to the time’s political scenario. In Ireland, it was challenged and banned for being obscene and wicked.

The Grapes of Wrath

This novel, written by John Steinback, has been challenged and banned for sexual references and vulgar language.

Fahrenheit 451

In this book written by Ray Bradbury, there are many words such as damn and hell that are objectionable.

The Catcher in the Rye

This novel by J.D. Salinger has been challenged, censored, and banned for vulgar language and moral issues.

Candide

The Catholic Church banned this novel written by Voltaire.

The Color Purple

Although this book by Alice Walker got the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, it is controversial because it involves sexual abuse.

The Call of the Wild

This book written by Jack London is acceptable in American schools, but it has been banned in Italy and Yugoslavia because it is too radical.

Brave New World

This novel by Aldous Huxley is controversial because of its language and some morality issues.

The Bell Jar

The main character in this novel, written by Sylvia Plath, makes several attempts to commit suicide. So this novel has been challenged and banned.

The Awakening

Earlier people considered this book written by Kate Chopin to be scandalous and immoral. Now it is recognized as a significant piece of feminist literature.

Arabian Nights

The Arab government has not given recognition to this collection of stories. The US government challenged and banned it in 1873, under the Comstock Law.

The Diary of Anne Frank

It was challenged and banned because it is a tragic story and contains some sexually offensive passages.

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

This book, written by Mark Twain, tells about the attitude towards African Americans during his times. It was banned in 1885 by the Concord Public Library for social reasons.

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