What happens if you try to ban a book

Take that, censor boards!

Source: unshelved.com via Deepali on Pinterest

Jaipur Lit Fest - Banned and broken

The fracas over the Jaipur lit fest has sort of died down now, so perhaps it is time for a look at what actually happened?
If you don't know what I'm talking about - Jaipur is in India, a town known for a rich, majestic heritage in the arts. Each year, it hosts the largest lit fest in South Asia.
The annual Literature festival held there was in a storm of controversy this year.


Couple of anticipated highlights was Oprah's hour-long interview and visit at the festival, and Salman Rushdie's presence.


While Oprah's interview was truly interesting, Mr. Rushdie's visit was not permitted due to a few fanatics who (possibly never having read his books) protested loudly! 
His book, Satanic Verses, has been banned in India for a few decades - again, religious views triumphed over literature.


Result? No talk, no telecast and no freedom of speech.
Some 4-5 authors read out sections of his book in protest, but that was also not encouraged by the fest's organizers.


A sad show, all around.


More info:
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2012/01/26/indian-media-reacts-to-rushdie-row/
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2012/01/24/security-fears-quashed-rushdies-jaipur-video/

Banned Books Week - Sept 25th to Oct 2nd

While I was studying in the US, my library in West Lafayette, IN had such a great Banned Books Week feature - they wrapped the books in brown paper (no titles visible) and encouraged visitors to take one home and see what novel it was. They had segregated the books by reason for being banned, so you could pick based on a reason that tickled your curiosity. I chose one that had been banned for Religious reasons, and returned home to unwrap my present - it was by the great Kurt Vonnegut. In honor of Banned Books Week, this post highlights a few books that were banned, and some of the silliest reasons used for challenging and banning books.   Some other shockingly banned books are:

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller 

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell 

Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women's Fantasies by Nancy Friday

Some reasons for Banning books:

1. “Tarzan was ‘living in sin’ with Jane.” ( Tarzan, by Edgar Rice Burroughs) 
2. “It is a real ‘downer.’” ( Diary of Anne Frank, by Anne Frank) - like, duh!
3. “The basket carried by Little Red Riding Hood contained a bottle of wine, which condones the use of alcohol.” ( Little Red Riding Hood, by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm)

 and one of my personal favorites:

4. “An unofficial version of the story of Noah’s Ark will confuse children.” ( Many Waters, by Madeleine C. L’Engle) 

 To find out more about Banned Books Week, read the ALA website here. A list of Most Commonly Challenged Books is here at Wikipedia.

Was there a book that you were shocked to find out was banned?

Did a banned book have a positive impact on your life, or while growing up? Do Share!

Posted via email from e-Volving Books