5 Books Once Banned by the Church

Ironically, banning books only makes people want to read them more

St. Jerome (1541), by Marinus van Reymerswaele, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

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

Cosette from Les Misérables (1862), by Emile Bayard, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

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…