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Original poster

BANNED books - how many have you read?

53 replies

HauntyMython · 23/10/2011 18:47

Some libraries, including the one I work in, recently had a Banned Books display - turns out it's a national thing and different councils do it each year or something?

here's the list

How many have you read? Any that are particularly good/bad?

I have read 15 of them I think - favourites being Brave New World, Handmaid's Tale and To Kill A Mockingbird.

Currently ploughing through LOTR - DH has read the trilogy 17 times Hmm so I thought I should try it (I loved the Hobbit).

Also (I have several books on the go) reading Tropic of Cancer but OMG it is absolutely vile, far more bodily functions, parasites etc than I feel comfortable with

Any thoughts on this list then? :)

OP posts:
Trills · 23/10/2011 18:52

Banned by who?

All of the books you listed sound fairly mainstream (apart from Tropic of Cancer which I haven't heard of).

bibbitybobbitybloodyaxe · 23/10/2011 18:54

I think the point is they were banned, historically, by different "bodies" at different times. Have read most of em.

Original poster
HauntyMython · 23/10/2011 18:55

On the list there are the reasons for each banning. Some were really obscure and only banned in one school, others are famous for being banned like origin of species/lady chatterly's lover etc.

Quite surprising ones on there like Harry Potter Confused

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CMOTdibbler · 23/10/2011 18:55

I've read quite a lot of them, and tried to read a few more (but gave up on, such as the Satanic verses).

Tango Makes Three, and King and King are particularly good though Grin

The book I am suprised more people haven't read is A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch. Its so moving

Original poster
HauntyMython · 23/10/2011 18:56

Most of them? Shock impressive! I've downloaded samples/free ebooks of some of them, others I'm not sure I'd ever manage.

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bagelmonkey · 23/10/2011 18:57

I've read 29 which really surprised me. Most of the books I've read I wouldn't have expected to see on the list.

Original poster
HauntyMython · 23/10/2011 18:59

My colleague read the Ivan one - inspired by the display - he loved it.

Tango makes 3 is lovely, we've got it on loan ATM :) never read king and king though, it was the ONLY book on the list we didn't have any copies of in the county :( I've been looking for a copy of it since reading about it on MN but I can't find it cheaper than a tenner!

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SolidGoldVampireBat · 23/10/2011 19:00

27 of them, not all of which I enjoyed all that much (I have a profound loathing for John Steinbeck, for instance). Some I read without knowing they'd ever been banned, some I was made to read at school (fucking Steinbeck again).

PippiLongBottom · 23/10/2011 19:02

Very interesting. I was shocked at first until I read who was doing the banning Wink. I am in my second year of an English literature degree and have read many if them already and know I have many to come.

BestIsWest · 23/10/2011 19:04

I've read or attempted to read 36 (Catch 22 - just didn't get it) of them although I'm sure some were on there twice.

Angelico · 23/10/2011 19:05

Have read 45 of them although totally AMAZED at some of the books which were banned. Have attempted a couple more - American Psycho was genuinely sickening and I made 2 attempts and then gave up.

Trills · 23/10/2011 19:07

I might use this as a prompt for books to download - lots of them are very cheap on Kindle.

exoticfruits · 23/10/2011 19:08

37, but it is a good list to try more. Some I have tried but can't get on with like James Joyce.

Haribojoe · 23/10/2011 19:12

I've read 20 and about another 10 of them are on my bookshelf/kindle waiting to be read.

HoneyPablo · 23/10/2011 19:19

I have read 20 of them and went to the same school as one of the authors on the list- Thomas Paine- there is a statue of him oin my home town.
I cried reading Anne Frank's diary, when she describes her relationship with her mother. It gave me a real insight into my daughter's thoughts and feelings towards me.
I loved Stephen King's Carrie- it started an obsession for King's work. have most of his books now.
I studied the Merchant of Venice for my O level English Literacy, and really enjoyed it

Tolalola · 23/10/2011 19:24

I've read 36 -some great, some blah. It's quite interesting to see how some were banned in early years for promoting equality too much (Uncle Tom's Cabin) and later on, lots were banned for being racist.

I don't think any books should be banned.

NosfeRaahhtu · 23/10/2011 19:25

'In the Night kitchen'- I bloody LOVED that when I was a child. Certainly, I just saw the nudity as a bit funny- and anything else def passed me by. Some people just love to get offended, though.

Have read a fair number of them- lost count- and it brought back memories of come great books. Makes you realise how lucky we are, that very few of the books were banned in this country.

I

msbuggywinkle · 23/10/2011 19:36

I've read 38 of them, shocked that Revolting Rhymes has been banned - it is wonderful. I like it more than the DDs do!

breatheslowly · 23/10/2011 19:58

I'm surprised that the Da Vinci Code wasn't banned for being crap.

Abcinthia · 23/10/2011 20:12

I've read 23 and 1 is on my to read shelf.

KatyMac · 23/10/2011 20:21

I've read 49 of them but very few recently

Original poster
HauntyMython · 23/10/2011 20:22

I'm surprised that the Da Vinci Code wasn't banned for being crap.

DH and I said exactly that when we read the list :o DH knows a lot about the legends behind it and threw the book across the floor several times before giving up.

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Original poster
HauntyMython · 23/10/2011 20:23

What one didn't you read Katy? You will have to read it now you know Wink

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BlathersFright · 23/10/2011 20:28

Only 16 but quite a few more are on my 'would like to read' list. I was read a few of them as a child and have read one or two to my children too!

Original poster
HauntyMython · 23/10/2011 20:39

I was really surprised that Mein Kampf wasn't in the list - has it really never been banned?

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