Ulysses by James Joyce is one of the most banned and controversial books in literary history. It was first published in 1922, but long before that, excerpts of the novel had already caused outrage. In 1918, chapters from Ulysses began appearing in the American magazine The Little Review. These installments sparked legal trouble due to … Read more
The Color Purple by Alice Walker The Color Purple by Alice Walker has been one of the most frequently challenged and banned books since its publication in 1982. Many schools and libraries in the United States have removed it from their shelves, mainly because of its explicit content, including depictions of sexual abuse, violence, and … Read more
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck When The Grapes of Wrath was published in 1939, it didn’t just make waves—it caused a storm. Many schools, libraries, and even entire counties banned the book. The reasons? Harsh language, scenes with sexual undertones, and what critics saw as a harsh, almost un-American attack on capitalism and … Read more