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Top 10 Books That Shocked The World!

Some authors have an aptitude for writing controversial books. That is why it is not difficult to pick the top ten books that have created controversy in the world. Actually there are hundreds but in this article we are going to talk about the top 10 books that has created the maximum shock effect on the readers. These books were either banned or protested against and in extreme cases even burned!

The art of writing such books goes back to centuries. The earliest in the list of top ten books that shocked the world will be the Gothic novels. Surprisingly, these explosively sexual and violent novels were actually writen by women authors. In some cases, writers even used a pen name to escape the persecution that came up after these controversial books were published. Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights' is the perfect example of writing under a male name.

Several of these shocking books gained fame many years after they were actually published. In fact, all the fame that the author got was posthumous. This clearly shows that these authors were visionaries who thought beyond their time. Today these works are accepted as classics and actually prescribed as texts in school.

So here is Boldsky's pick of the top ten books that created controversy in the world.

Wuthering Heights By Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights By Emily Bronte

When it was published in 1847, this novel shocked the suave British readers with the descriptions of unbridled cruelty and passion.

Lady Chatterley's Lover By D.H. Lawrence

Lady Chatterley's Lover By D.H. Lawrence

This novel published in 1928 but had to undergo an obscenity trial before it could be openly circulated.

Lolita By Vladimir Nabokov

Lolita By Vladimir Nabokov

This novel was first banned in France (where it was published first) because its protagonist is a pedophile.

The Catcher In The Rye By J. D. Salinger

The Catcher In The Rye By J. D. Salinger

The use of 'phony' language and scenes of extreme sexuality has made this book a target for Puritans.

The Anarchist's Cookbook By William Powell

The Anarchist's Cookbook By William Powell

This novel promoted such violent anarchist ideas that even the author himself tried to censor. In the later stages of his matured life, Powell petitioned to censor his own book.

A Clockwork Orange By Anthony Burgess

A Clockwork Orange By Anthony Burgess

Very few people actually understand this book but many have protested against the scenes of violence and abuse in it.

Satanic Verses By Salman Rushdie

Satanic Verses By Salman Rushdie

The Indian author Salman Rushdie had to actually ride out of India on the back of this book. He had to be exiled from his country because the Muslim population of India threatened violence against him.

Harry Potter Series By J K Rowling

Harry Potter Series By J K Rowling

This fantasy novel series may be one of the best selling books in the world but people have attempted to brand it satanic and have it banned.

Da Vinci Code By Dan Brown

Da Vinci Code By Dan Brown

This book did not contain anything that was not said before. But the book became popular because it was a thriller and thus the controversy of Mary Magdalene being Jesus's wife began.

Fifty Shades Of Grey By E. L. James

Fifty Shades Of Grey By E. L. James

This is the most recent addition to the list of erotic books. This trilogy of novels openly talks about BDMS (sado-masochism) and other banned sexual practices.

Story first published: Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 16:13 [IST]
Read more about: literature bizarre