Banned Books

[eezablade]

I've just been looking into banned books. Whilst it seems the 'Land of The Free' have banned many books in some School Districts (James and the Giant Peach, Twelfth Night to name but two) I cannot find any books that are banned in the UK.
Even Spycatcher was not banned, despite the Tories best efforts.
Can anyone think of a book that has been banned in the UK?
I'd hope there aren't any.

[maxi29]

There are books that are not published here for legal reasons: Harold and Tina go to America is one for certain; I had to buy it in the US.
I believe that Kitty Kelley's book on the royal family is the same. I think that there's a book on the IRA that was not published in the UK but I can't be bothered to Google it.
I don't think books have been actually banned since the 1950s.

[heathfield]

The anti-terrorism act of 2006 springs to mind. That could result in a huge range of books being considered as 'unsuitable', on subjects of fact, fiction, and DIY! It would take the government years to compile a full list!

[Rabelais]

I'm not sure about banning, but the House of Bush, House of Saud wasn't available in the UK as they refused to publish it here for ages citing legal concerns.

[marwel7]

Just googled this and found www.godless.org which has a list of banned books.Had a quick scan and didn't see any books banned in the UK.
Lady Chatterley's Lover was banned for a time until the court case.
Do you know why James and The Giant Peach has been banned in whichever school district?

[Golem]

Take a look at wikipedias entry for 'banned books' - has some good information and a line about why a particular was banned;
eg. Spycatcher by Peter Wright About MI5. Banned in the UK.
Steal This Book by Abbie Hoffman banned in Canada, and many stores in the United States refused to carry it because the title may be an invitation to take the book without paying for it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banned_books

[eezablade]

Spycatcher isn't banerned now. They overturned it when they realised people were buying abroad anyway.

James and The Giant Peach was banned because it, apparently encourage disobedience towards authority.

The Wiki site is the one I looked at initially and it is indeed interesting. I subsequently found out about the American Libraries Association 'banned books' week, which highlighted many books which were banned for various reasons - Judy Blume being the most banned author.

It make me happy and indeed proud to be British because of the lack of banned books in 21st century Britain.
Some books are unavailable, but not banned.

It's a shame the Americans aren't as free as we are.

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/ban nedbooksweek.htm

[eezablade]

More and James and the Giant Peach
http://www.********.com/banned_********/2003_1 2_001147.php

[kittenlittle]

I think Junk by Melvin Burgess was controversial when it was written. Not sure if it was banned.

[cherryelm]

I can think of loads of books that should have been banned because they were utter dross. lol

[spikefish]

I do not think the word banned is correct.

Each school district is independent, and locally controlled. They may choose to not "stock" a certain book in their library, because of the mores of the area where they are located. I am sure that Lady Chatterley's Lover is not on an elementary school library shelf.

I know of no books that are "banned" in the USA. Child porn is illegal in the USA and, I hope, in the UK.

[eezablade]

erm, spikefish. If you read the ALA website, you will find lists of banned books. It is not simply school districts choosing not to stock them.

More to the point, whet the hell does child porn have to do with anything?
You are weird and have issues. See a therapist for Christ sake.

[spikefish]

I am weird and have issues? What are you, an online psychiatrist?

I am quite sure that there are many religious based schools in the UK that opt to not stock certain books in their libraries. I do not consider such actions as banning.

Child porn is very relevant to the question. Possession of same is illegal in most of the western world. Is that considered being banned?