Throughout history, books have been banned from being viewed from the public eye. Either considered dangerous, harmful or too thought-provoking, these books have had to hang in the darkness. Well, now take judgment for yourself!
“All Quiet on the Western Front,” by Erich Maria Remarque
A classic early Twentieth Century read, Erich Maria Remarque’s chilling novel about the terrors of World War One was banned by Adolph Hitler. No doubt trying to erase the idea that war might be nasty, Hitler claimed that the book was offensive to Germans, even though Remarque was German himself. The book not only tells its own amazing story of soldiers and their later detachment from normal society but also set the stage for war authors throughout the Twentieth Century.
“Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” by D.H. Lawrence
Banned in the United States and the United Kingdom, the book openly portrays the protagonist taking on a lover, as the title suggests, and in frank detail, deals with the sexual appetites of Lady Chatterley. Despite its seemingly salacious material, D.H. Lawrence deals with this theme intellectually and delicately, and in beautiful prose. It took nearly thirty years for publication to be open; however, despite being widely available now, it is still a treasure amongst any book collection.
“The Davinci Code,” by Dan Brown
The international hit is not a hit amongst devout Catholics. The Catholic Church has denounced the book for its critical tone of the Catholic Church and suggestions that there exists a Christian conspiracy. Because of this, Lebanon has banned the book from sale. Despite this, Dan Brown’s book enjoys extreme commercial success because of its fast and exciting plot and the creatively woven thrill ride. The thrills and chills that Dan Brown delivers are what is great about “The Davinci Code,” not so much the history and arguments it makes.
These books – and their authors – all found a way to get themselves into hot water. However, be thankful that they’re available because they each hold a special treasure that has shone throughout the years as they continue to be distributed.
