Books provide a window into other worlds, expanding not only our worldview but also our perceptions of others. However, there are some books whose content has been deemed too dangerous to read. These banned books were not available for the public to read for many reasons, from explicit content to controversial views. While some of these books have returned to the shelves, others remain on the banned list. Check out these six banned books that were considered too dangerous to read below.
6. Ulysses by James Joyce
Starting our list of banned books is Ulysses by James Joyce. Released in 1920, the book was banned for its obscene content even before the complete novel was published. The book was considered illegal in America for over a decade until a court case in 1933 lifted the ban. It was also illegal in the U.K. until the 1930s, and was banned in Australia until the mid-1950s. While the graphic content is still focused on, the book has become a staple in universities for its plot and theme.
RELATED: 7 Most Famous Banned Books of All Time
5. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Fifth on our list of banned books is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Published in 1865 and today considered a classic with several film adaptations, in 1990, there was a different sentiment about the novel. It was banned from the curriculum by an American school as it was considered to have expletives and sexual fantasies. The book was also banned in China due to the talking animals and the fear of portraying animals as equals to human beings in the story.
4. Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler
Next on our list of banned books considered too dangerous to read is Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler. Published in 1925, the novel was an autobiography that highlighted his radical views, what led to them, and how he would transform Germany. After World War II, various efforts were employed to limit access to the book, including refusing publishing rights and letting the copyright run out. The book is still used today with white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups.
CHECK OUT: 6 Out-of-Print Horror Novels That Are Now Collector’s Gold
3. The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie
Rounding out the top three banned books is The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie. Published in 1988, the novel centers on the Satanic Verses of the Quran, censorship, and religious violence. Due to its many controversies, the book was banned in many countries, including India, Bangladesh, Thailand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, etc. The author’s life has been threatened many times over the years, and he has gone into hiding and fought for his life several times.
ALSO READ: 7 Most Influential Fiction Books of All Time
2. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Second on our list of banned books is The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Following its 1951 release, Salinger’s novel about a disillusioned teen became popular in schools and on censorship lists. It was constantly challenged due to profanity, blasphemy, and sexual references. One particular instance was the book being removed from a school in Issaquah, Washington, in 1978 after a citizen found 785 profanities and claimed it was “part of an overall communist plot.”
1. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Last but not least on our list of banned books is Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Published in 1969, the novel is based on Vonnegut’s experiences as a POW during World War II. It has been banned repeatedly in schools after its publication due to the book’s explicit sexual scenes, violence, and obscene language. Other public places banned the novel since it was incompatible with biblical principles, and one school district even burned over two dozen copies in its high school’s coal furnace.
CHECK OUT: 7 Most Influential Sci-Fi Books and Their Lasting Impact on Pop Culture
More About:Pop Culture