5 Most Controversial Books Published
Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov (1955)
Lolita turned France topsy turvy with its description of the mindset of Humbert, a paedophile. The book was banned in France, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and the United Kingdom. Despite the controversies, it still managed to sell more that 100,000 copies in America in just three weeks!
The Satanic Verses – Salman Rushdie (1989)
Salman Rushdie created quite a tornado with this book. Riots in India and Pakistan left many injured and some even dead. Rushdie was condemned by Ayatollah Khomeini, the Iranian spiritual leader. Rewards of upto $3 million was announced for anyone who killed him. A Japanese translator is said to have been stabbed to death for accepting to translate it. Citizens of Venezuela were threatened with upto 15 months in prison if they dared even open the book. After receiving death threats, bookshops across the world removed all copies form their shelves. The infamous Rushdie had to hibernate for almost a decade till the wrath subsided.
American Psycho- Bret Easton Ellis (1991)
American Psycho is a first person account of a fictitious serial killer. Ellis was the subject of severe criticism and received innumerable death threats and hate mail. The book is banned in Queensland and Canada. In most other countries like New Zealand and Australia, the book has been branded as “R18” under the censorship legislation. This psychological thriller has been deemed as being extremely dangerous for minors.
Lajja- Taslima Nasrin (1993)
Lajja is Taslima’s take on the anti-Hindu riots which followed the demolition of the Babri Masjid. Lajja was banned in Bangladesh and in some parts of India as soon as it managed to get out of the printing press. Despite the ban, over 50,ooo copies were sold within the first six months itself. Taslima went into hiding after a non-bail able arrest warrant was issued against her in Bangladesh. Thousands took to the streets demanding her death. She was finally granted bail with a condition that she would leave Bangladesh for good. Though she has been living in exile, Taslima hasn’t stopped writing. She has authored more that thirty books.
The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown (2003)
Dan Brown’s masterpiece has as many critics as fans- if not more. Brown’s critics accuse him for his inaccurate description of history, European art and architecture. Brown’s take on the history of the Catholic Church and its ‘secrets’ angered quite a few.
Tags: american psycho, Books, Controversy, da vinci code, dan brown, ellis, lajja, lolita, salman rushdie, satanic verses, taslima nasreen, vladimir nabokov