10 Shocking Banned Classic Novels You Should Read

Novels and stories are some of the most captivating forms of entertainment still around today. Sure, there are millions of video games and movies available for sale, but nothing can truly beat the nice turn of pages, the smell of an old book, and the tens of thousands of words painting the perfect picture in your head. That being said, there are some countries who still choose to ban such literary classics that could enlighten and teach our youth. These stories are well written and worth a read. Here are ten shocking banned classic novels everyone should check out.

Ulysses, James Joyce

Ulysses, by James Joyce, tells the story of Leopold Bloom, the main character who is traveling through Dublin, Ireland. The title is the same as Homer’s Odyssey, and both novels have much in common. In terms of content, though, it is quite tame.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is quite a famous novel, though some countries have banned it. The tale is of a young protagonist traveling down the Mississippi River. There are plenty of racist themes throughout, all of which are probably hurtful to many.

Candide, Voltaire

Candide, by Voltaire, is the story of a naive protagonist who believes in Leibnizian optimism. The entire novel is mostly made up of satire and hardships that the character must undergo. Adventure parodies, romance cliches, and plenty more abound.

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley

It is rather shocking that Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, could be banned by any government. The iconic science fiction novel is a wonderful read about humanity in a healthy and technological utopia. Sex and drug use run rampant, though.

1984, George Orwell

1984 is the story of Winston Smith, who is currently in the middle of a totalitarian state. This is probably the most famous dystopian novel to have ever been authored and released. The story also birthed “Big Brother,” and invasive surveillance.

The Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye follows Holden Caulfield, the main protagonist, who experiences teenage isolation and the fear of growing older. The novel is rather controversial for the use of profanity, the sexual content, and the teenage angst experienced throughout.

Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men is a story that most people within the United States ended up reading during their High School English class. The mentally ill main character accidentaly kills a mouse, which foreshadows so much worse. John Steinbeck told a magnificent story here.

Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut

Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut, follows Billy Pilgrim, a young American soldier captured by the German soldiers in World War 2. He is housed in a makeshift prison, which was once a slaughterhouse in Dresden. Death, torture, kidnapping, and war are all revealed in spades.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Harriet B. Stowe

Uncle Tom’s Cabin is another story that plays heavily on racist undertones and the slavery experienced within the US many years ago. The anti-slavery novel leads up to the American Civil War, which is full of blood and anger.

Lord of the Flies, William Golding

Lord of the Flies, by Nobel Prize-winner William Golding, is a play on how man is civil, but will turn savage at a moment’s notice. School children trapped on an island decided to govern themselves, but fail, and end up consuming each other.