Banned Books

Happy Monday, friends.

Last time I blogged I mentioned that I was reading the Watchmen Graphic Novel...well I have finished the book, and I am happy to report that it was very enjoyable! The only complaint I would have is that the ending in the film is much better than the ending in the novel...I'm not going to give it away, but you can judge for yourself. Personally, I thought it very odd.

Now, on to the subject of banned books. This is something that I strongly believe in. Everyone should make an effort to read books that are either currently banned (I can't really think of many in Europe or the US right now, but there are certainly some that have created backlash), or those that have been banned in the past. These are much easier to find (as there are quite a few), and thankfully most (or perhaps none) are currently banned in a number of countries. I admit that I know a number of books that have been banned, however I need to further research the list of these books, and find out where, when, and why they were banned. It is a subject of which I am very interested in.

I am currently reading Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence. The book was published in 1928 in Florence Italy. Lawrence knew that he would not be able to find a publisher for his book, so he had it published himself by a printer in Italy. The first printing was limited to 1000 copies, and were sent out by order only to Lawrences acquaintances through an Italian antiquarian bookseller named Giuseppe "Pino" Orioli. Once the book was in the hands of the readers, word quickly spread that it was shocking and filthy. Books began to be confiscated, and eventually a number of pirated copies began to circulate due to the curiosity of the outraged public. Lawrence (critically ill at this point with tuburculosis), was condemned for his novel, and soon died due to the stress.

I find it quite funny that society would publicy scorn such a great author, while at the same time seek out the novel to read hidden alone in the privacy of their own homes. I am not very far into the novel (I haven't reached any of the parts that created all the fuss), but I can already see what a talented writer Lawrence was, and what a pity it is that his final novel was viewed in such a harsh manner. I read that the printer of the novel spoke not a single word of English, and so in order to keep him from printing something that he may not agree with, Lawrence told him that the book contained descriptins of a sexual nature. To this the printer replied "O! ma! but we do it every day!" Apparently the Florentines were a society more comfortable with the filth that others condemned.

My point in discussing these types of books (and I don't just mean books of a sexual nature), is that because of a closed mindset, so many generations have missed out on some brilliant writing. I don't believe in censorship, and I certainly don't believe that books should be banned. If the material inside offends you, don't read it.

I owe a debt of gratitude to Ronald Friedland for supplying the history behind the publication of the novel. His introduction to the 1968 printing is very informative and enjoyable.

To conclude, read a banned book my friends. You just don't know what you may be missing out on.