The Youth Blog

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.

Paris Hilton: A Hotel Heiress at her entertaining best. Her exploits adventure with her beaus has been captured in kilometers of film tape like a thriller movie. Paris Hilton is also a perfect illustration for dumb blonde jokes. She also has an annoying habit of forgetting Washington is a part of which country. The Absolute Winner!

Britney - Bald and not that beautiful

Britney Spears: The only person Paris Hilton needs to be threatened by – Britney Spears. She is awesome, Spears is ruthless when it comes to marriage and kids – ‘Just Do It‘ is her mantra. Also, shaving of her hair after every few months. Lip-synching at concerts where fans have payed over $200. That’s all a part of Britney Spears master plan to take over the world by a storm.

Pamela Anderson: Although, she also loves video-graphy just like Paris Hilton due to similar aesthetic tastes, unlike Paris, Pamela has a self-defence mechanism in place that covers her face.

Typically French

Carla Bruni: If Sarkozy is the boss of France and then the person above him is Carla Bruni. Bruni is an elegant beauty. She has controversies with her nude paintings. More recently, Sarkozy had to ask Bruni to maintain a low profile.

Lindsay Lohan: She may be hot but she is crazy. Lohan has had a series of car crashes in August 2004, October 2005, and November 2006  – all in good spirit it seems- literally. Her blood alcohol level has been found illegal almost anytime she has been caught driving a car.

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin: Well, you know her party had to spend more on her costumes and dressing apparels than on the election campaigning. A ex-model mother who looked hot and wanted Politics to make her famous again.

Nicole Richie: She is better known as Paris Hilton’s best friend. Nicole Richie has an awesome sense of direction. Nicole has entered the freeway on the exit ramp and was caught traveling in the wrong direction. Time to time, she has Heroin tasting sessions with her amazing friends like Hilton. She has never publicly identified her parents.

Miley Cyrus: She has posed for Magazine like Vanity Fair – topless. Miley was just 15 years then. Parents created hell at that time. Hey its alright, because later they clarified Cyrus was wrapped in a bedsheet and was actually not topless. Then the parents started another controversy that they wanted to create an impression that Cyrus was topless. Whatever!

Vanessa anne Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens: Here is another Broad minded youngster like Miley Cyrus. She releases nude photos every now and then just to claim that they were taken privately. Again Vanessa was under-18 at that time. Moreover, she also holds that legendary record of contract-breaching at age 16. Prodigy, really.