Ten Public Domain Books That Stirred Up Scandals
Books have a history of ruffling feathers, and some of the best classics in public domain literature were once banned, challenged, or scandalous. These books didn’t just push boundaries; they smashed through them. Here are 10 public domain books that got people talking (and not always in a good way).
1. “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” by D.H. Lawrence
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This book practically invented the scandalous novel genre. It’s a story about love across social classes and, well, let’s just say some pretty frank conversations (and descriptions) of love and intimacy. First banned for obscenity, it was at the heart of a famous UK trial. Spoiler: It won!
2. “Ulysses” by James Joyce
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This stream-of-consciousness masterpiece was deemed obscene for its raw honesty and some rather explicit scenes. The novel faced bans in several countries, but today it’s hailed as one of the greatest works of modernist literature.
3. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain
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It might seem like a fun river adventure, but Twain’s take on slavery and racism led to fierce backlash. Some called it offensive, while others deemed it inappropriate for its language. It’s been banned, praised, and debated ever since.
4. “Madame Bovary” by Gustave Flaubert
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This story of a woman’s quest for passion and escape from dull provincial life shocked 19th-century readers. It was labelled immoral and dragged Flaubert into court on charges of obscenity. He won, and his book became a classic.
5. “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
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A tale of vanity, decadence, and moral corruption? Sign Victorian society up for some outrage! Wilde’s only novel was criticised for its homoerotic undertones and decadent themes.
6. “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley
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It’s now a gothic masterpiece, but Frankenstein faced backlash for its shocking themes of playing God and challenging religion. People weren’t ready for Shelley’s bold questions about humanity and science.
7. “Candide” by Voltaire
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This satirical novella poked fun at religion, philosophy, and politics, earning Voltaire enemies in powerful places. Banned in several countries, it’s now recognised as a biting critique of blind optimism.
8. “The Decameron” by Giovanni Boccaccio
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A collection of risqué tales told during the Black Death? Yep, that was bound to ruffle feathers. The church banned this bawdy book for centuries, but today it’s celebrated as a literary gem.
9. “Leaves of Grass” by Walt Whitman
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Whitman’s poetry collection was controversial for its sensuality and praise of the human body. Some critics labelled it obscene, while others called it revolutionary. Either way, it paved the way for modern poetry.
10. “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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A story about sin, shame, and societal judgement, The Scarlet Letter stirred controversy for its unflinching portrayal of adultery and its critique of Puritanism. Though tame by today’s standards, it scandalised 19th-century readers and remains a thought-provoking classic.
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There you have it — 10 books that rocked their worlds and still resonate today. Best of all, you can enjoy every one of these trailblazing reads for free. Sometimes, the books that challenge the status quo are the ones that stand the test of time.
Enjoy reading these rebellious classics, and remember, great books are meant to make us think — even if they did cause a scandal or two!
