Living in a bookshop is like living in a warehouse of explosives. Those shelves are ranked with the most furious combustibles in the world — the brains of men. —Roger Mifflin, “The Haunted Bookshop” by Christopher MorleyWhereas Mifflin considered that a good thing, there are people who take the analogy literally and are threatened by books with brains.
I read a column written by an author who wanted his books banned. By his theory, absolutely nothing is better for sales of a book than to have it banned somewhere. As soon as news of the banning gets out, people buy the book to see what the fuss is about.
Ballyhoo publicist Harry Reichenbach paid some kids to stand outside a shop window and leer at “September Morn” (according to Reichenbach), and then called a newspaper posing as an outraged citizen. The resulting manufactured scandal put sales of the undistinguished kitsch through the roof.
In an episode of Sit Down, Shut Up (the US version), almost all the books in the school library were banned, including the dictionary; it had words like “fellatio” and “evolution” in it.
I figure there has to be more to it than that. But I do know that the books were all over at least one nearby middle school; with that many copies, I figure the teachers were actually assigning the book, or at least making it available.
They tackled Huck Finn last year — Mark Twain responded that with a version of the bible that removed all mention of god …And the complete collection of Jackie Collins with all the sex removed. It fit on a 3×5 index card. :)
BE THIS GUY over 11 years ago
Don’t have time to read with so many books to ban.
Kali39 over 11 years ago
“Wow, this is the greatest book I’ve ever read! As soon as I’m finished, we must ban it immediately!”
Coyoty Premium Member over 11 years ago
Living in a bookshop is like living in a warehouse of explosives. Those shelves are ranked with the most furious combustibles in the world — the brains of men. —Roger Mifflin, “The Haunted Bookshop” by Christopher MorleyWhereas Mifflin considered that a good thing, there are people who take the analogy literally and are threatened by books with brains.
celeconecca over 11 years ago
I just re-read Fahrenheit 451 – still pertinent.
mjmsprt40 over 11 years ago
I read a column written by an author who wanted his books banned. By his theory, absolutely nothing is better for sales of a book than to have it banned somewhere. As soon as news of the banning gets out, people buy the book to see what the fuss is about.
Kip W over 11 years ago
Ballyhoo publicist Harry Reichenbach paid some kids to stand outside a shop window and leer at “September Morn” (according to Reichenbach), and then called a newspaper posing as an outraged citizen. The resulting manufactured scandal put sales of the undistinguished kitsch through the roof.
Sherlock Watson over 11 years ago
In an episode of Sit Down, Shut Up (the US version), almost all the books in the school library were banned, including the dictionary; it had words like “fellatio” and “evolution” in it.
knitkitty over 11 years ago
It’s been tried…http://bannedbooks.world.edu/2011/03/06/banned-book-awareness-uncle-toms-cabin-harriet-beecher-stowe/
librisleo over 11 years ago
As a librarian, I deal with this all the time. It’s not pleasant, especially when it’s coming from a holy roller.
K M over 11 years ago
I figure there has to be more to it than that. But I do know that the books were all over at least one nearby middle school; with that many copies, I figure the teachers were actually assigning the book, or at least making it available.
Popeyesforearm over 11 years ago
What!? Huck Finn isn’t on the list. For shame.Need to chuck the people that ban books into an oven pre-heated to 451 degrees.
Kali39 over 11 years ago
They tackled Huck Finn last year — Mark Twain responded that with a version of the bible that removed all mention of god …And the complete collection of Jackie Collins with all the sex removed. It fit on a 3×5 index card. :)