Lucy Burroughs answered
There are many books or series that have caused a stir due to the themes contained within them. Here are a selection of the most controversial:
Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies is a highly-controversial novel by William Golding, and was published in 1954.
The book tells the story of a group of British schoolboys who end up stranded on an island after their plane crashes. There are no adults present, which forces them to work together in order to survive.
Their struggles and experiences on the island cause them to realise how dark human nature can be, which emphases the book’s allegorical meaning. The book is extremely violent in places, which has resulted in it being so controversial.
The Harry Potter series
The first instalment, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was released in 1997. The series quickly became a phenomenon and, by the time the fourth book Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire was released in 2000, the series had become one of the most successful children’s series of all time.
Despite its millions of fans, the series has also caused much controversy, mainly due to the fact that it contains witchcraft. Many religious groups believe that the series promotes witchcraft and many people (most notably Laura Mallory) have attempted to have the books banned.
Mallory made several attempts to get the books banned in childrens' school libraries, as she believed that the series promoted and taught witchcraft. Despite her opinions on the series, Mallory has not read any of the books, stating that they are “too long.” After she failed to get the books banned, she made several appeals, but was rejected.
The Catcher in the Rye
The Catcher in the Rye is a popular novel that was originally aimed at adults. Written by J.D. Salinger and published in 1951, the book has now become popular amongst young adults. The book follows the life of fictional character Holden Caulfield, who is expelled from preparatory school.
Sexual references, profanity and drug and alcohol use have made the novel one of the most controversial books of all time. The novel was famously linked to the murder of John Lennon due to his killer, Mark Chapman, idolising the fictional Holden Caulfield. The character has also said to have influenced other murderers.
American Psycho
American Psycho was written by Bret Easton Ellis and was published in 1991. The story focuses on Patrick Bateman, who is a serial killer. The book explores Bateman's life, which consists of torturing and brutally killing a string of women, as well as indulging in drug and alcohol abuse.
The novel became highly controversial as a result of the sadistic acts carried out by Patrick Bateman - which included cannibalism, sexual abuse and necrophilia. . The murders are described in graphic detail and the book is banned in some countries, while in others it is only allowed to be sold to those aged 18 or over. The book was also criticised for the amount of violence inflicted on females.
A film adaptation was released in 2000 and has since become a cult classic.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover
Lady Chatterley’s Lover is a popular novel written by D.H. Lawrence, and was originally published in 1928. The story focuses on Constance Chatterley, who begins an affair with gamekeeper Oliver Mellors as a result of difficulties in her marriage.
The book caused much controversy due to its explicit sexual content, as well as the use of profanity - and was banned in several countries, including Australia. In fact, when the book was published in 1961 in Britain, a trial was held as a result of the obscene words used and the publishers were put on trial under the Obscene Publications Act 1959.
The book eventually became available to the British public in a second edition, which was published in 1961.
Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies is a highly-controversial novel by William Golding, and was published in 1954.
The book tells the story of a group of British schoolboys who end up stranded on an island after their plane crashes. There are no adults present, which forces them to work together in order to survive.
Their struggles and experiences on the island cause them to realise how dark human nature can be, which emphases the book’s allegorical meaning. The book is extremely violent in places, which has resulted in it being so controversial.
The Harry Potter series
The first instalment, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was released in 1997. The series quickly became a phenomenon and, by the time the fourth book Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire was released in 2000, the series had become one of the most successful children’s series of all time.
Despite its millions of fans, the series has also caused much controversy, mainly due to the fact that it contains witchcraft. Many religious groups believe that the series promotes witchcraft and many people (most notably Laura Mallory) have attempted to have the books banned.
Mallory made several attempts to get the books banned in childrens' school libraries, as she believed that the series promoted and taught witchcraft. Despite her opinions on the series, Mallory has not read any of the books, stating that they are “too long.” After she failed to get the books banned, she made several appeals, but was rejected.
The Catcher in the Rye
The Catcher in the Rye is a popular novel that was originally aimed at adults. Written by J.D. Salinger and published in 1951, the book has now become popular amongst young adults. The book follows the life of fictional character Holden Caulfield, who is expelled from preparatory school.
Sexual references, profanity and drug and alcohol use have made the novel one of the most controversial books of all time. The novel was famously linked to the murder of John Lennon due to his killer, Mark Chapman, idolising the fictional Holden Caulfield. The character has also said to have influenced other murderers.
American Psycho
American Psycho was written by Bret Easton Ellis and was published in 1991. The story focuses on Patrick Bateman, who is a serial killer. The book explores Bateman's life, which consists of torturing and brutally killing a string of women, as well as indulging in drug and alcohol abuse.
The novel became highly controversial as a result of the sadistic acts carried out by Patrick Bateman - which included cannibalism, sexual abuse and necrophilia. . The murders are described in graphic detail and the book is banned in some countries, while in others it is only allowed to be sold to those aged 18 or over. The book was also criticised for the amount of violence inflicted on females.
A film adaptation was released in 2000 and has since become a cult classic.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover
Lady Chatterley’s Lover is a popular novel written by D.H. Lawrence, and was originally published in 1928. The story focuses on Constance Chatterley, who begins an affair with gamekeeper Oliver Mellors as a result of difficulties in her marriage.
The book caused much controversy due to its explicit sexual content, as well as the use of profanity - and was banned in several countries, including Australia. In fact, when the book was published in 1961 in Britain, a trial was held as a result of the obscene words used and the publishers were put on trial under the Obscene Publications Act 1959.
The book eventually became available to the British public in a second edition, which was published in 1961.
