But in 1933, the book's publisher, Random House, took the case—United States v. One Book Called Ulysses—to court, and ended up getting the ban overturned. “Indeed if the artistic value of such an experiment be measured by the intellectual echoes it may again, long after, set in motion, the case would make in favor of this little firm fantasy—which I seem to see draw behind it a train of associations,” he writes. In 1921, a group known as The New York Society for the Suppression of Vice successfully managed to keep the book out of the United States, and the United States Post Office regularly burned copies of it. Set them up on your sofa or against the window sill for all to see. Ever since, the book—which explores three days in the life of a troubled 16-year-old boy—has been a 'favorite of censors since its publication,' according to the American Library Association.". Though many people consider William Faulkner's 1930 novel As I Lay Dying a classic piece of American literature, the Graves County School District in Mayfield, Kentucky disagreed. According to TIME, "Within two weeks of its 1951 release, J.D. Black and British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga Read Race is a real and powerful force and one he has spent his adult life trying to understand, says Anglo … To hang, simply tie the ribbons and bend the wires, arms, and tails. More than 120 years after its initial publication, The Turn of the Screw continues to inspire adaptations of every kind (and caliber). One person, however, remained completely unperturbed: James’s stenographer, William MacAlpine. Each tombstone is made with foam and designed to add a touch of spookiness to your space. “I ought doubtless to blush for thus confessing them so numerous that I can but pick among them for reference.”, While the success of The Turn of the Screw may have contributed to James’s newfound fondness, it’s also likely that he was much happier with the 1908 version of the tale. Display it on your doorway, across your fireplace mantel, or atop your table. The Path of Splitness is a major non-fiction work that will rock the scientific world It is 2,766 pages: This is the latest revised version. While discussing how ghost stories had diminished in both quality and quantity, the esteemed church leader recounted a worthy one that a woman had told him years before. You can use these indoors, as well. Reading J.D. The story, James later wrote in his journal, involved “wicked and depraved” servants who “corrupt and deprave the children” in their charge and come back to haunt them after dying under mysterious circumstances. He also hoped seeing MacAlpine’s reaction to the tale might help him predict how other readers would receive it.

James Joyce's 1922 novel Ulysses may be one of the most important and influential works of the early 20th century, but it was also deemed obscene for both its language and sexual content—and not just in a few provincial places. Mental Floss may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. (And best of all, you can put the money you saved toward extra Halloween candy to stash away.). The original publication of Animal Farm, George Orwell's 1945 allegorical novella, was delayed in the UK because of its anti-Stalin themes. He called it “a piece of ingenuity pure and simple, of cold artistic calculation, an amusette to catch those not easily caught” and pontificates about the mechanics of writing it.

While most of his plays remained on paper only, Guy Domville did open in London in 1895. For over 1500 years before the Empire Windrush docked on British shores, people of African descent have played a significant and far-ranging role in the country’s history, from the African soldiers on Hadrian’s Wall to the Black British intellectuals who made London a hub of radical, Pan-African ideas. Sure, it's well known that Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita is about a middle-aged literature professor who is obsessed with a 12-year-old girl who eventually becomes his stepdaughter. One afternoon in January 1895, Henry James and his cohorts were gathered around the fire at the country house of Edward White Benson, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Simply plug it in and watch it magically inflate within just a few minutes. , , Read more. features built-in LED lights and sandbags to help it stay sturdy. ), This versatile spiderweb prop is made with 100-percent polyester, and its knit lace spiderweb pattern adds a spooky touch to any home. Unflinching, confronting taboos, and revealing hitherto unknown scandals, this book describes how black and white Britons have been intimately entwined for centuries. In this vital re-examination of a shared history, historian and broadcaster David Olusoga tells the rich and revealing story of the long relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa and the Caribbean. Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1 . Made with thick linen fabric, these are durable, sturdy, and designed to last for seasons to come.

Jack stands at 28 inches tall, while Sally is a bit shorter at 21 inches. In honor of National Book Lovers Day, here's a look at 10 classic books that have stirred up controversy. In 1908, James published the novella in the 12th volume of The Novels and Tales of Henry James, New York Edition—a 24-volume collection of his selected works—and his preface suggested a change of heart toward the potboiler.

“I’m the last, my lord, of the Domvilles!” the titular character exclaimed at the end, to which one disgruntled theatergoer allegedly very audibly responded, “It’s a bloody good thing y’are!”, James, humiliated and short on cash, quit theater and soon moved to New York. A number of countries—including France, England, Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa—banned the book for being obscene. While they’re not “scary,” per se, they certainly are adorable. This spooktacular zombie lawn decoration is sure to scare all of your friends, family, and neighbors alike. "I have succumbed, in that matter, purely to the pecuniary argument … It means £40 a month, which I simply couldn’t afford not to accept,” James told fellow novelist William Dean Howells in a letter, confessing that he “will do it again & again, too, even for the same scant fee: it’s only a question of a chance!”, James seemed to have a tough time separating his serialized work from the begrudging financial motivation behind it. From the Bible to Harry Potter, some of the world's most popular books have been challenged for reasons ranging from violence to occult overtones. Others, meanwhile, think The Turn of the Screw is a good, old-fashioned ghost story with good, old-fashioned ghosts. And, since it comes pre-assembled, you won’t have to waste time constructing it yourself. Choose from eight different light settings, including twinkling, flashing, fading, and more. Perhaps the most highly contested one involves the reliability of the governess. Though The Grapes of Wrath—John Steinbeck's 1939 novel about a family of tenant farmers who are forced to leave their Oklahoma home for California because of economic hardships—earned the author both the National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize, it also drew ire across America because some believed it promoted Communist values.

Henry James, failed playwright, painted by John Singer Sargent in 1913. Halloween is right around the corner—which means it’s officially time to bring out the jack-o'-lanterns, watch scary movies, buy your costume(s), and hang up your festive decorations. Black British history can be read in stately homes, street names, statues, and memorials across Britain and is woven into the cultural and economic histories of the nation. So scary, in fact, that even James was spooked by it. It was confiscated in Germany by Allied troops, banned in Yugoslavia in 1946, banned in Kenya in 1991, and banned in the United Arab Emirates in 2002. There, he resigned himself to work he despised: Writing serials for magazines. Use tape, push-pins, or weights to prevent the signs from blowing away.

Sign Up Today: Get exclusive deals, product news, reviews, and more with the Mental Floss Smart Shopping newsletter! Black & British: A Forgotten History - David Olusoga David Olusoga's history of Black Britain is a revealing exploration of the long relationship between Great Britain and Africa. The original publication of Animal Farm, George Orwell's 1945 allegorical novella, was delayed in the UK because of its anti-Stalin themes. “I became sure” was changed to “I felt sure”; “I perceived” became “I felt”; “I found myself” became “I knew”; and so on. One of these was The Turn of the Screw, published in Collier’s Weekly between January and April 1898. Display them in your front yard, on your porch, on a lamppost, or a tree. The story has inspired countless adaptations in every format, the most recent being Netflix’s The Haunting of Bly Manor—a follow-up to 2018's The Haunting of Hill House (which was based on Shirley Jackson's classic 1959 novel). Whereas some readers look at the title character Dr. Seuss's The Lorax and see a fuzzy little guy who "speaks for the trees," others saw the 1971 children's book as a dangerous piece of political commentary, with even the author reportedly referring to it as "propaganda.". Wells earlier that month. You can also hang it outdoors over a tree or a (very tall) bush. These adorable Halloween-themed pillowcases make the perfect accessory for any couch, sofa, or mattress.

In 1898, Henry James published The Turn of the Screw, a bone-chilling novella about a governess, two seemingly saintly children, and a couple of wicked ghosts who may or may not actually be there. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the book's realism didn't sit well with Nazi leaders, who feared the book would deter their propaganda efforts. This adorable inflatable ghost (which dons a cute-as-can-be wizard hat!) Jackson's novel, incidentally, is often compared to The Turn of the Screw. This skeleton set includes a skull, hands and arms, and legs and feet—plus five stakes to hold everything in place. The godly archbishop who inspired quite a devilish story.