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5 Books Once Banned by the Church
Ironically, banning books only makes people want to read them more
In 1559, the Roman Catholic Church produced a list of banned books called the “Index Librorum Prohibitorum.” In it, they named several scientific, philosophical, and literary works that were deemed too heretical or obscene for reading.
For over 400 years, the list was updated by different sacred congregations who meticulously reviewed controversial writings. Ironically, banning books only makes people want to read them more. That’s true today as it was in the 16th century. In 1966, in a move to modernize the Church, Pope Paul VI abolished the list.
So given that the inquisition won’t pay us a visit for reading these works, here are five books that the church didn’t want you to read.
1. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Les Misérables was published in 1862 and is considered to be one of the greatest literary pieces of the 19th century. Victor Hugo’s French historical novel examines politics, justice, religion, and romance through events surrounding the June Rebellion of 1832. The book allows the reader to join the struggles and redemption of many characters, with particular importance to the journey of ex-convict Jean Valjean.
Victor Hugo’s work sympathized with the anti-monarchist rebels in Paris at the time. While Church teaching does not necessarily prefer one form of government over the other, French monarchs heavily supported the Church. If the monarchy would lose power, the Church would likely lose influence. Hence, I surmise that they thought of it as a strategic move to ban Les Misérables.
2. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
The story of this adventure novel takes place in France and Italy during the Bourbon Restoration era. It features a man who, after being wrongfully…
