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1. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
When Moby-Dick was published in 1851, many critics and readers just didn’t get it. Reviewers slammed Melville’s long-winded style, calling the book confusing and rambling. Some even said the whale story was ridiculous, and sales flopped. People weren’t ready for Melville’s bold mix of adventure and philosophy, and his focus on obsession felt over the top. In fact, the novel nearly ruined Melville’s career, and he died thinking he was a failure. Today, Moby-Dick is seen as a masterpiece, but back then, The New York United Literary Gazette called it “an ill-compounded mixture of romance and matter-of-fact.” It’s shocking how the novel’s genius was invisible to its first readers.
2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Upon its release in 1925, The Great Gatsby barely made a splash. Reviews were mixed at best—some described it as “unimportant” or even “painfully forced.” The book sold poorly, with only about 20,000 copies sold in Fitzgerald’s lifetime. Many readers didn’t appreciate Fitzgerald’s sharp critique of the American Dream or his portrayal of shallow, broken characters. According to The Chicago Tribune, the novel was “surely not the work of a great novelist.” Now, Gatsby is everywhere—school curriculums, movies, and pop culture. But in its own time, it was seen as a letdown, and Fitzgerald died thinking he’d never be recognized.
3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
When Wuthering Heights first hit shelves in 1847, its wild story of obsession and revenge was just too much for Victorian readers. Critics called it “savage” and “strange,” even accusing Brontë of writing something immoral. The Spectator said it had “a fiend of a book,” and some people thought a woman couldn’t possibly have written it. Its structure and passionate characters were considered shocking, not romantic. Fast forward to today, and this dark love story is considered a classic, but back then, it was almost scandalous.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
When To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960, some critics couldn’t see its future greatness. Early reviews were divided—some praised it, but others said it was “sugar-water served with humor.” It was even banned in some schools for its themes on race and justice, which were controversial at the time. The Atlantic Monthly doubted its literary merit, calling it “skilled, unpretentious, and totally unambitious.” Despite this, the novel slowly gained recognition, eventually becoming an essential read about empathy and moral courage.
5. Ulysses by James Joyce
James Joyce’s Ulysses was called obscene, unreadable, and even dangerous when it was published in 1922. It was banned in the United States and Britain for “obscenity,” and many critics called it an insult to literature. The New York Times described it as “a heap of dung,” and many people dismissed it as nonsense. Its experimental style and dense references kept readers away. Despite the outrage, Ulysses is now considered a groundbreaking modernist work that changed literature forever.
6. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Catch-22’s satirical take on war confused and irritated critics in 1961. The New Yorker called its plot “disorganized,” and some readers found its circular logic and absurd humor too much to handle. Sales were slow, and the novel was called “nasty” and “immoral.” Despite the rocky start, the phrase “catch-22” became part of the English language, and the book is now a staple in discussions of war, bureaucracy, and paradox.
7. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
When The Catcher in the Rye arrived in 1951, it was met with outrage and confusion. Critics called Holden Caulfield “immature” and “unlikeable,” and the book was quickly banned from many schools for its language and themes. Time magazine described Salinger’s writing as “whiny and self-indulgent.” The controversy fueled rumors and suspicion, and Salinger himself withdrew from public life. Today, it’s a rite of passage for young readers, but early on, it was seen as dangerous.
8. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Brave New World was called “shocking” and “blasphemous” when it was published in 1932. Critics didn’t like Huxley’s bleak vision of the future, with its drugs, engineered babies, and lack of morality. Some saw it as a direct attack on family, religion, and decency, and it was quickly banned in several countries. The New Statesman called it “a hideous read.” Over time, Huxley’s warnings about conformity and control came to seem prescient, not perverse.
9. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Lolita’s subject matter was so controversial in 1955 that it was banned in several countries, including England and France. Critics called it “repulsive” and “pornographic,” and some publishers refused to print it. The Spectator branded it “the filthiest book I have ever read.” Nabokov’s daring prose and complex themes were lost on many early readers. Years later, it’s praised for its artistry, but at first, Lolita was a scandal.
10. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Published in 1818, Frankenstein shocked readers with its dark science fiction and questions about humanity. Critics attacked it for being “disgusting” and “absurd,” and some couldn’t believe a young woman wrote it. Blackwood’s Magazine called it “a tissue of horrible and disgusting absurdity.” The novel was dismissed as mere horror, not worthy of serious literature. Today, Frankenstein is recognized as the birth of science fiction and a study of human ambition.
11. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
When Madame Bovary was released in 1856, Flaubert was put on trial for obscenity. Critics and moralists were outraged by Emma Bovary’s affairs and the novel’s frank discussion of desire. The French government prosecuted Flaubert for attacking public morals, but he was eventually acquitted. The book’s realism and unflinching look at boredom and adultery made it infamous. Despite the scandal, it became a blueprint for modern realism.
12. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
When Steinbeck’s novel appeared in 1939, it was banned and burned in several U.S. towns. Critics called it socialist propaganda, and California growers were infuriated by its portrayal of their cruelty. The Associated Farmers of California called Steinbeck a liar. Libraries pulled it from shelves, and some politicians wanted it censored. Still, it won the Pulitzer Prize and later became known as a defining American novel.
13. Animal Farm by George Orwell
Animal Farm was rejected by several publishers for being too controversial. When it was finally published in 1945, critics in Britain and America dismissed it as “juvenile,” and some accused Orwell of being anti-Soviet at a delicate time during World War II. Soviet newspapers called it “reactionary trash.” Now, its satire of power and corruption is considered essential reading.
14. Dracula by Bram Stoker
Upon its release in 1897, Dracula was criticized for being too sensational. Some called it “vulgar” and “shocking,” with The Daily Mail saying it was “the most blood-curdling novel of the paralyzed century.” Victorian readers were disturbed by its horror and sexual undertones. It did not sell well at first and was seen as pulp fiction. Today, Dracula is the root of all things vampire in pop culture.
15. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
When Wilde’s only novel came out in 1890, critics denounced it as immoral and decadent. The Daily Chronicle said it would “taint every young mind” that read it. Queen Victoria’s government even used the book as evidence against Wilde in his infamous trial. Its themes of hedonism and vanity were seen as a threat to society. Over time, its daring critique of hypocrisy and beauty won admirers.
16. Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
When published in 1891, Tess of the d’Urbervilles was called “immoral” and “shocking.” Victorian critics objected to Hardy’s sympathetic portrayal of a “fallen woman” and the book’s criticism of social norms. Some magazines refused to serialize it unless Hardy made drastic changes. The Saturday Review said Hardy had “gone too far.” Today, Tess is praised for its realism and compassion.
17. 1984 by George Orwell
1984 was met with suspicion when it appeared in 1949. Some critics called it “paranoid fantasy,” while others thought it was anti-socialist propaganda. Soviet authorities banned it outright, and even in the West, some saw it as too bleak and depressing. The New York Times described it as “grim and horrifying.” Despite the controversy, it’s now considered a prophetic warning about totalitarianism.
18. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Upon publication in 1885, Huckleberry Finn was attacked for its language and portrayal of race. The Concord Public Library banned it, calling it “trash and suitable only for the slums.” Critics disapproved of Twain’s use of dialect and the friendship between Huck and Jim. The controversy has never really faded, but the novel remains a touchstone for discussions of freedom and racism.
19. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
When Lord of the Flies came out in 1954, it was rejected by over 20 publishers. Early reviews called it “unpleasant” and “pessimistic,” and some teachers thought it was too disturbing for young readers. Faber & Faber almost didn’t publish it at all. Today, its tale of civilization breaking down is a required read in schools worldwide.
20. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Bradbury’s tale of book-burning, released in 1953, was seen as heavy-handed and unrealistic. Critics complained that its warnings about censorship and technology were exaggerated. Some schools banned it for its language and themes, and The Saturday Review called it “a polemic, not a novel.” Over time, its vision of a world without books has become more chillingly relevant.
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.
