General Chat

How times have changed since Lady Chatterley's Lover in 1960 as to what we can read and watch.

On the 8th September1960 the publishers Penguin Books were charged with public obscenity for publishing D.H. Lawrence's controversial book - Lady Chatterley's Lover.

The Old Bailey has, for centuries, provided the ultimate arena for challenging the state. But of all its trials – for murder and mayhem, for treason and sedition – none has had such profound social and political consequences as the trial in 1960 of Penguin Books for publishing Lady Chatterley's Lover.

NOTE - The article below contains language that some may find offensive!!!!!!

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/oct/22/dh-lawrence-lady-chatterley-trial

I'm not sure if our perceptions of what constitutes good literature has changed over the years, whether our attitudes to what a moral society is or whether we live our lives in a more open way and no-one has the liberty to judge us on them, however one thing is clear DH Lawrence would not find his book in the same position if it were published today. Having read the book and several other books that are categorised under the same genre I can say at least Lawrence wrote about what is only natural; affairs, lust, passion, what is human to do and what has been done by humans since time began. He did not write filth for filths sake, he showed emotions and feelings as they should be shown. I'm not saying adultery or lust is right or wrong, nor that it is better to be staid in our demeaner. Some of the more modern books that go under the umbrella of literature are filth and more filth, no thoughts feelings or emotions at all. I'm not able to articulate myself well. What I am saying is DH Lawrence wrote a classic that should have been accepted no matter when it was written.

I agree. I remember the trial, when all the so-called obscene bits were taken out of context and quoted ad nauseam in the press.

They actually constituted about 1% of the book. After the trial sales soared - and most people were disappointed!! It was not at all what they expected.

Regarding filth for filth's sake, I used to subscribe to Readers Digest Condensed Books (until they got too big for my bookcase) and read several good authors. After I stopped subscribing I started reading full length versions of some of my favourites, and in a few cases was horrified by the language - totally unnecessary.

Many will disagree, but that's my opinion.

well the trial was excellent publicity for the book - earthy is how I would describe it

As a 15 year old, I found it very readable - some pages several times :-0 ;-) :-D

Times certainly have changed and not necessarily for the better in lots of cases.

I well remember the reporting of the Lady Chatterley's Lover trial. By the time Kenneth Tynan uttered "That word" on television I certainly knew all the swear words and what they meant or alluded to. Can you imagine if D H Lawrence was writing the book today? Almost every other word would by necessity have to be an expletive and the seduction scenes considerably more graphically described in order for a publisher to consider it worth the effort of publishing it.

I am an avid reader and find that virtually every book of every kind that I read, whether it be a biography, a spy thriller or a detective novel is peppered with words that were just a few years ago were considered the language of the gutter. I am certainly not a prude but I often think that the common use of such language in the written form displays a lack of literary imagination and ability. I'm sure that we all swear when we drop or break something but that doesn't mean that it is necessary to include our swear words in the summary on the insurance claim form. :-D

I well remember Kenneth Tynan uttering that word on TV - shock horror

Wend I agree very readable. There are some norty scenes in the Thornbirds too but it doesn't take away anything from the actual story. Some times in life we come across times when norty scenes are necessary.

I rather like norty scenes :-D

D'wanna share?

LOL

couldn't possibly :-D

so do I Ann it makes the book seem more real rather than filling it up with filth and the slight glimpse of reality.