A thrilling desert romance that’s drenched in sex but wasn’t banned in Ireland. Great for the smut seekers, but terrible for anyone who didn’t appreciate a racist rape fantasy.
S6 E9 Throbbing: Hull ‘The Sheik’ (1919)
S6 E8 Dreadfully Common: Maugham ‘Cakes and Ale’ (1930)
One of the many bestsellers from the 1930s which was banned. When this novel was on sale after it was banned, the unfortunate bookseller was prosecuted.
S6 E6 Oh, James: Fleming ‘Diamonds are Forever’ (1956)
I really didn’t like this novel, but millions of James Bond can’t be wrong, can they?
S6 E4 Obscene knowledge: Irish Family Planning Association ‘Family Planning’ (1976)
What happens when contraception is technically illegal but voluntary groups provide it anyway? Family planning information began to circulate widely during the 1970s and the censors did not like it. My guest, Dr Laura Kelly, helps me unravel a tale of blind eyes turned and court challenges.
S6 E2 Bottom wriggling: Anon ‘The memoirs of Dolly Morton’ (1899)
Banning antique erotica was a strange feature of the late censorship regime. Full of whipping and racism, this was not a book I enjoyed even if its history was fascinating.
S5 E6 Revolutionary: Hansen and Jensen ‘The Little Red Schoolbook’ (1969)
A guide to school life that was so radical the Pope declared it sacrilegious. For once, the Irish were not the only ones over-reacting to this tiny little book. It was 2014 before a full, uncensored version was published in Britain.
