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General Recommendations

Classic Banned Books

By:

Civic Center Staff Dan

MARINet

Staff-created list

A list of classic books that at one time have been banned.

By:

Civic Center Staff Dan

MARINet

17 items

17 items

The Bluest Eye

The Bluest Eye

A Novel

by Morrison, Toni

Book - 2007

"The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison has been banned for its depictions of racism, incest, and child molestation, as well as its portrayal of the devastating effects of internalized racism. "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison has been banned for its depictions of racism, incest, and child molestation, as well as its portrayal of the devastating effects of internalized racism. Show less

"The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison has been banned for its depictions of racism, incest, and child molestation, as well as its portrayal of the devastating effects of internalized racism. "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison has been banned for its depictions of racism, incest, and child molestation, as well as its portrayal of the devastating effects of internalized racism. Show less

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To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird

by Lee, Harper

Book - 2010

Despite winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 To Kill A Mockingbird is a regularly banned book for use of profanity, the topic of race, and the use of racial slurs. Despite winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 To Kill A Mockingbird is a regularly banned book for use of profanity, the topic of race, and the use of racial slurs. Show less

Despite winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 To Kill A Mockingbird is a regularly banned book for use of profanity, the topic of race, and the use of racial slurs. Despite winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 To Kill A Mockingbird is a regularly banned book for use of profanity, the topic of race, and the use of racial slurs. Show less

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The Grapes of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath

by Steinbeck, John

Book - 2002

Steinbeck's, "The Grapes of Wrath" was an immediate success upon publication in 1939, but it also faced immense backlash with banning attempts a...Show more Steinbeck's, "The Grapes of Wrath" was an immediate success upon publication in 1939, but it also faced immense backlash with banning attempts and burning all over the country and in Kern County, CA. The reasons behind the ban are obscene language, violence, sexual content, promotion of labor unionization, and as communist propaganda. Show less

Steinbeck's, "The Grapes of Wrath" was an immediate success upon publication in 1939, but it also faced immense backlash with banning attempts a...Show more Steinbeck's, "The Grapes of Wrath" was an immediate success upon publication in 1939, but it also faced immense backlash with banning attempts and burning all over the country and in Kern County, CA. The reasons behind the ban are obscene language, violence, sexual content, promotion of labor unionization, and as communist propaganda. Show less

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Their Eyes Were Watching God

Their Eyes Were Watching God

by Hurston, Zora Neale

Book - 1991

"Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston has been banned for its use of racial slurs, explicit sexual content, and themes of female independence and empowerment. "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston has been banned for its use of racial slurs, explicit sexual content, and themes of female independence and empowerment. Show less

"Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston has been banned for its use of racial slurs, explicit sexual content, and themes of female independence and empowerment. "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston has been banned for its use of racial slurs, explicit sexual content, and themes of female independence and empowerment. Show less

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Invisible Man

Invisible Man

by Ellison, Ralph

Book - 1995

"Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison has been banned for its explicit exploration of racism, sexual content, and strong language. "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison has been banned for its explicit exploration of racism, sexual content, and strong language. Show less

"Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison has been banned for its explicit exploration of racism, sexual content, and strong language. "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison has been banned for its explicit exploration of racism, sexual content, and strong language. Show less

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Animal Farm

Animal Farm

A Fairy Story

by Orwell, George

Book - 2003

"Animal Farm" by George Orwell is an allegorical novella that has been banned for its political content, which critiques authoritarian regimes ...Show more "Animal Farm" by George Orwell is an allegorical novella that has been banned for its political content, which critiques authoritarian regimes and has been interpreted as a direct criticism of specific governments, including Soviet communism. Its portrayal of power, rebellion, and class struggle. Show less

"Animal Farm" by George Orwell is an allegorical novella that has been banned for its political content, which critiques authoritarian regimes ...Show more "Animal Farm" by George Orwell is an allegorical novella that has been banned for its political content, which critiques authoritarian regimes and has been interpreted as a direct criticism of specific governments, including Soviet communism. Its portrayal of power, rebellion, and class struggle. Show less

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The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

by Fitzgerald, F. Scott

Book - 1996

"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald has been banned for its depictions of infidelity, strong language, and themes of alcoholism and mora...Show more "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald has been banned for its depictions of infidelity, strong language, and themes of alcoholism and moral decay, which some consider inappropriate for young readers. These elements have led to challenges and bans in various schools and libraries over the years. Show less

"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald has been banned for its depictions of infidelity, strong language, and themes of alcoholism and mora...Show more "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald has been banned for its depictions of infidelity, strong language, and themes of alcoholism and moral decay, which some consider inappropriate for young readers. These elements have led to challenges and bans in various schools and libraries over the years. Show less

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Ulysses

Ulysses

by Joyce, James

Book - 1992

"Ulysses" by James Joyce has been banned for its explicit sexual content, stream-of-consciousness narrative style, and frank depictions of human thoughts and experiences, which some considered obscene. . "Ulysses" by James Joyce has been banned for its explicit sexual content, stream-of-consciousness narrative style, and frank depictions of human thoughts and experiences, which some considered obscene. . Show less

"Ulysses" by James Joyce has been banned for its explicit sexual content, stream-of-consciousness narrative style, and frank depictions of human thoughts and experiences, which some considered obscene. . "Ulysses" by James Joyce has been banned for its explicit sexual content, stream-of-consciousness narrative style, and frank depictions of human thoughts and experiences, which some considered obscene. . Show less

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Slaughterhouse-five

Slaughterhouse-five

Or the Children's Crusade : A Duty-dance With Death

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Book - 1991

"Slaughterhouse-five" is a science fiction based anti war novel. It has had banning attempts for numerous reasons because of its use of obscene language, depictions of sexual acts, lack of patriotism, and mentions of homosexuality. "Slaughterhouse-five" is a science fiction based anti war novel. It has had banning attempts for numerous reasons because of its use of obscene language, depictions of sexual acts, lack of patriotism, and mentions of homosexuality. Show less

"Slaughterhouse-five" is a science fiction based anti war novel. It has had banning attempts for numerous reasons because of its use of obscene language, depictions of sexual acts, lack of patriotism, and mentions of homosexuality. "Slaughterhouse-five" is a science fiction based anti war novel. It has had banning attempts for numerous reasons because of its use of obscene language, depictions of sexual acts, lack of patriotism, and mentions of homosexuality. Show less

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Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon

by Morrison, Toni

Book - 1977

"Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison has been banned for its explicit sexual content, violence, and themes of racism. "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison has been banned for its explicit sexual content, violence, and themes of racism. Show less

"Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison has been banned for its explicit sexual content, violence, and themes of racism. "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison has been banned for its explicit sexual content, violence, and themes of racism. Show less

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Beloved

Beloved

A Novel

by Morrison, Toni

Book - 2004

"Beloved" by Toni Morrison has been banned for its explicit depictions of violence, sexual content, and the intense psychological and physical trauma experienced by the characters. "Beloved" by Toni Morrison has been banned for its explicit depictions of violence, sexual content, and the intense psychological and physical trauma experienced by the characters. Show less

"Beloved" by Toni Morrison has been banned for its explicit depictions of violence, sexual content, and the intense psychological and physical trauma experienced by the characters. "Beloved" by Toni Morrison has been banned for its explicit depictions of violence, sexual content, and the intense psychological and physical trauma experienced by the characters. Show less

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Catch-22

Catch-22

by Heller, Joseph

Book - 2011

"Catch-22" by Joseph Heller has been banned for its strong language, explicit sexual content, and critical view of war and the military. "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller has been banned for its strong language, explicit sexual content, and critical view of war and the military. Show less

"Catch-22" by Joseph Heller has been banned for its strong language, explicit sexual content, and critical view of war and the military. "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller has been banned for its strong language, explicit sexual content, and critical view of war and the military. Show less

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Brave New World

Brave New World

by Huxley, Aldous

Book - 2013

"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley has been banned for its explicit sexual content, drug use, and challenges to societal norms. "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley has been banned for its explicit sexual content, drug use, and challenges to societal norms. Show less

"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley has been banned for its explicit sexual content, drug use, and challenges to societal norms. "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley has been banned for its explicit sexual content, drug use, and challenges to societal norms. Show less

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The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye

by Salinger, J. D.

Book - 1991

"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger been banned for its use of profanity, references to sexual content, and themes of rebellion and mental health. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger been banned for its use of profanity, references to sexual content, and themes of rebellion and mental health. Show less

"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger been banned for its use of profanity, references to sexual content, and themes of rebellion and mental health. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger been banned for its use of profanity, references to sexual content, and themes of rebellion and mental health. Show less

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The Color Purple

The Color Purple

by Walker, Alice

Book - 2022

"The Color Purple" by Alice Walker has been banned for its explicit sexual content, depictions of violence, and themes of incest and abuse, which some consider inappropriate for certain audiences. "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker has been banned for its explicit sexual content, depictions of violence, and themes of incest and abuse, which some consider inappropriate for certain audiences. Show less

"The Color Purple" by Alice Walker has been banned for its explicit sexual content, depictions of violence, and themes of incest and abuse, which some consider inappropriate for certain audiences. "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker has been banned for its explicit sexual content, depictions of violence, and themes of incest and abuse, which some consider inappropriate for certain audiences. Show less

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A Farewell to Arms

A Farewell to Arms

by Hemingway, Ernest

Book - 1969

"A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway has been banned for its explicit sexual content, use of profanity, and critical portrayal of war. "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway has been banned for its explicit sexual content, use of profanity, and critical portrayal of war. Show less

"A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway has been banned for its explicit sexual content, use of profanity, and critical portrayal of war. "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway has been banned for its explicit sexual content, use of profanity, and critical portrayal of war. Show less

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Go Tell It on the Mountain

Go Tell It on the Mountain

by Baldwin, James

Book - 2000

"Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin has been banned for its explicit discussions of religion, sexuality, and racial issues. "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin has been banned for its explicit discussions of religion, sexuality, and racial issues. Show less

"Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin has been banned for its explicit discussions of religion, sexuality, and racial issues. "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin has been banned for its explicit discussions of religion, sexuality, and racial issues. Show less

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