Many Modern Novels are Banned

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12609, 20 November 1926, Page 12

Many Modern Novels are Banned

ANOTHER British novelist has offended against the canons of public morality. Tiie latest addition to the list of sinners in print is Mr Aldous Huxley, whost novel, “Antic Hay,” so offended the taste of the Alexandria Book Club that the committee sentenced it to immediate destruction, and organised a ceremony at which it was dropped, chapter by chapter, on to a bonfire. The explanation given is that it was feared that the book might have a bad effect on the morals of Alexandria. ‘‘There is too much odour of the goat in Egypt already,” declared the committee.

While the - publication of “Antic Hay” in Britain drew the ire of a number of critics, who accused Mr Huxley of raking a muck-heap, the book was generally accepted as a remarkable and arresting work. One. of its most “lurid” incidents deals with the primitive love-making of a Bohemian. In incurring the displeasure of the censors Mr Huxley has joined distinguished company. There are now more novelists in Britain whose boohs have been banned than anywhere else in the world. America has only three or four writers whose works have ever affronted public morality. But Great Britain has at least a dozen upon whom the censor has come down with a heavy hand.

It is not long since the name of H. G. Wells was added to the list when his “Outline of History” was consigned to the flames by the minister of a Baptist church at Harlam, Kentucky. The minister alleged that the work was “poisonous and unfit to read” since its theories regarding evolution came into conflict with the first chapter of Genesis, and could not be squared with the story of Adam and Eve. Not long ago Mr Shane Leslie raised

a storm of indignation owing to two isolated and irrelevant short passages in his brilliant novel, “The Cantab,” that offended against the canons of public morality. The objectionable passages did not glorify wickedness, but they/were so indelicate that Dr. Cary Ehves, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Northampton, was moved to condemn them. In consequence Mr Leslie agreed to arrange the withdrawal of the hook in order that the passages might be deleted. “Though the majority of my characters are ascetic, I must regret the sensualism I have inexcusably described,” he apologised.

When Robert Iveable’a “Simon Called Peter” was published it was im mediately attacked as harmful and immoral. The hero, a padre in the army, had a hectic love affair with a pretty nurse whom-lie met behind the lines. They eoiric to London on leave and spend it together.

These incidents aroused the ’’re of many Churchmen, but although the book was banned in many quarters, no

official action was ever taken. Still another modern writer to be added to the list is Noel Coward, whose play “Fallen Angels” has been banned in Amsterdam.

One of the greatest writers still living. Mr Thomas Hardy, raised such a, storm with the publication of “Jude the Obscure,” one of his greatest works, that tlio . Church took a hand in the controversy.

The loading libraries and booksellers of the day banned the book, which today is regarded as a classic.