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The 120 Days of Sodom by Marquis de Sade
Few works in literary history have evoked as much horror and fascination as “The 120 Days of Sodom.” Marquis de Sade wrote this infamous manuscript while imprisoned in the Bastille in 1785, yet it remained unpublished for more than a hundred years due to its extreme content. The novel’s pages are filled with acts so depraved and violent that even today, many readers and critics find them unbearable to contemplate. Locked away and passed secretly among the curious, its eventual publication in the 20th century shocked a world unprepared for such audacity. Some scholars have interpreted de Sade’s writing as a brutal mirror reflecting the excesses and hypocrisies of society, but its relentless descriptions of sexual torture and cruelty eclipsed any philosophical debate for decades. The book is still banned in some nations, and modern discussions about it often spiral into debates about the value and limits of free expression. “The 120 Days of Sodom” stands as a stark testament to the power—and danger—of unfiltered literary imagination.
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
When “American Psycho” was first submitted for publication in the early 1990s, its original publisher, Simon & Schuster, refused to release it—citing concerns over its “graphic violence and misogyny.” The novel centers on Patrick Bateman, an ultra-wealthy, emotionless investment banker who moonlights as a serial killer, and spares no detail in its depiction of his crimes. Upon its release by a different publisher, the book triggered an uproar, with critics and advocacy groups accusing it of glorifying violence against women and desensitizing readers. Despite—or perhaps because of—this notoriety, “American Psycho” became a bestseller, and its disturbing critique of 1980s consumer culture sparked ongoing debates. The controversy helped cement Bret Easton Ellis’s reputation as a provocateur, with some arguing that the book forced society to confront uncomfortable truths about violence and materialism. In Australia, the book is still sold shrink-wrapped and restricted to adults. Its enduring shock value is a reminder of how literature can disturb, provoke, and divide audiences.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence
D.H. Lawrence’s “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” was considered so scandalous upon its 1928 release that its unexpurgated version was banned in multiple countries, including the UK and the US, for decades. The novel’s candid portrayal of an affair between an upper-class woman and her working-class gamekeeper broke nearly every taboo of its time—sex, class, and infidelity were all laid bare with unprecedented frankness. The British government famously prosecuted Penguin Books in 1960 for publishing the full text, leading to a landmark obscenity trial that ended in acquittal. This trial was a turning point for literary freedom in the English-speaking world, and sales of the book soared to over 3 million copies in just three months after the verdict. Critics have since hailed “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” as a profound exploration of intimacy and a bold challenge to the repressive morals of its era. The book remains a symbol of the fight against censorship and the evolving standards of what society is willing to accept in art.
Fanny Hill by John Cleland
“Fanny Hill,” also known as “Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure,” was published in 1748 and quickly made history as the first erotic novel in the English language. Author John Cleland wrote it while in debtor’s prison, and it follows the sexual adventures of a young woman in 18th-century London. Authorities in England and later in the United States acted swiftly to suppress the book, launching obscenity trials and seizing copies wherever they could find them. “Fanny Hill” was banned in Britain until 1963 and in the US until a Supreme Court ruling in 1966 declared it constitutionally protected. Despite its risqué reputation, scholars have praised the book for its playful language and insight into the mores of the time. Its journey from illicit pamphlet to literary classic highlights the shifting boundaries between art and obscenity, and its continued publication today is a testament to changing views about sexuality and expression.
The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
“The Anarchist Cookbook,” first published in 1971, is one of the most controversial manuals of the 20th century. Written by William Powell at age 19, the book contains explicit instructions for making explosives, drugs, and weapons. Its publication coincided with a period of social unrest in the US, and many lawmakers, law enforcement officials, and parents were alarmed by its contents. Several countries, including Australia and the UK, have banned the book outright, and it is often removed from online platforms. In a dramatic twist, Powell himself later renounced the book, calling it “a misguided and dangerous publication.” The work is frequently cited in debates about free speech and the responsibilities of publishers, particularly when it comes to material that can be used for harm. Despite—or perhaps because of—its notoriety, “The Anarchist Cookbook” continues to be sought after, both as a cultural artifact and a lightning rod for controversy.
Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler
“Mein Kampf,” penned by Adolf Hitler during his imprisonment in the 1920s, is perhaps the most infamous manifesto ever written. The book outlines Hitler’s racist, anti-Semitic ideology and his vision for Germany, serving as a precursor to the horrors of the Holocaust and World War II. Its publication has been strictly regulated or outright banned in many countries, including Germany, where it was illegal to print or sell until a critical edition was released in 2016. The text is still considered so dangerous that many libraries refuse to stock it, and scholars debate how it should be taught or contextualized. Despite these controls, millions of copies have been printed worldwide, and the book remains a chilling example of how words can fuel hate and destruction. The continued controversy over “Mein Kampf” illustrates the difficult balance between historical memory and the risk of spreading toxic ideologies.
The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie
Salman Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses” exploded onto the world stage in 1988 and instantly ignited a firestorm of outrage. The book, which weaves magical realism with a fictionalized account of the Prophet Muhammad’s life, was deemed blasphemous by many Muslims. Protests erupted across the globe, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s assassination—a shocking escalation that forced the author into hiding for years. Several countries, including India and Pakistan, banned the novel, and attacks were made on translators and publishers. The controversy over “The Satanic Verses” continues to fuel debates about religious sensitivity, artistic freedom, and the protection of writers from violence. The book’s story is not just about words, but about the real-world consequences when literature collides with deeply held beliefs.
Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller
Henry Miller’s “Tropic of Cancer,” published in Paris in 1934, was immediately banned in the United States for its graphic sexual content and candid language. The book’s stream-of-consciousness style and uninhibited discussions of sex, poverty, and art were considered obscene by American authorities, leading to a decades-long legal battle. It wasn’t until 1961, after a series of court cases, that the US Supreme Court ruled the novel was protected by the First Amendment. In France, the book was celebrated as a literary breakthrough, but in the US, it became a touchstone for debates about censorship and the limits of public decency. Miller’s boldness inspired future generations of writers to challenge the boundaries of what was considered acceptable literature. Today, “Tropic of Cancer” is recognized both for its artistry and its role in reshaping American literary freedoms.
Howl by Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” burst onto the scene in 1956 and almost immediately found itself at the center of an obscenity trial. The poem’s raw, free-form verses tackled taboo subjects including homosexuality, drug use, and mental illness—topics that were rarely discussed openly in 1950s America. When customs agents seized copies of the poem from a shipment arriving in San Francisco, publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti was arrested and put on trial. In a landmark decision, the judge ruled that “Howl” had “redeeming social importance,” paving the way for greater openness in American literature. The trial and its outcome have been credited with helping to spark the counterculture movement, and “Howl” remains a rallying cry for artistic freedom. Its impact lingers, reminding readers that literature can both scandalize and inspire in equal measure.
Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs
“Naked Lunch” by William S. Burroughs is a fever dream of a novel, infamous for its surreal, fragmented narrative and unflinching depiction of drug addiction and societal decay. Written in the late 1950s and published in 1959, the book was repeatedly rejected by US publishers, who feared prosecution for obscenity. When it finally appeared, it was promptly banned in Boston and other cities, leading to a series of high-profile court battles. The novel’s unconventional style and shocking content divided critics, with some hailing it as a masterpiece of the Beat Generation and others dismissing it as incomprehensible filth. In 1966, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled in favor of the book, affirming its artistic value. “Naked Lunch” has since been recognized as a landmark in American literature, continuing to provoke, baffle, and engage readers decades after its controversial debut.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
