BBCcom_Content_Index_for_May_16_2019.txt
'It's rather different from selling an ordinary book' How Lady Chatterley's Lover was banned – and became a bestseller.txt
'It's rather different from selling an ordinary book': How Lady Chatterley's Lover was banned – and bingo no meierbecame a bestsellerSkip to contentAdvertisementBritish Broadcasting CorporationRegisterSign InHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of The Earth EarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersAdvertisement'It's rather different from selling an ordinary book': How Lady Chatterley's Lover was banned – and became a bestseller4 November 2024ShareSaveNicola KennyShareSaveGetty Images(Credit: Getty Images)The UK publication of DH Lawrence's novel, Lady Chatterley's Lover, gripped the nation in 1960. In History looks at the highly publicised trial that led to its release – and the rush to see what all the fuss was about.Until November 1960, British people were prevented from reading Lady Chatterley's Lover by a law that criminalised the publication of writing considered indecent and immoral. The British publishing house, Penguin Books, wanted to challenge the Obscene Publications Act by printing a complete, uncensored edition of DH Lawrence's book. The resulting trial symbolised social changes that had been bubbling under in the years since World War Two, and demonstrated the gulf between the public and those who saw themselves as the guardians of established morals.Lady Chatterley's Lover had been published privately in Italy and France in the late 1920s, but was banned thereafter in several countries around the world including the US, Australia and Japan. In the years leading up to the trial, writers and publishers in Britain had become increasingly worried by the number of books being prosecuted for obscenity. In an attempt to allay these fears, the UK's Parliament introduced a new Obscene Publications Act in 1959 that promised "to provide for the protection of literature and to strengthen the law concerning pornography". This amendment provided a defence for anyone accused of publishing a "dirty book". It allowed them to argue that a piece of work should be published if it had literary merit, even if the average person found its material shocking.0:54WATCH: 'Barrister Mervyn Griffith Jones and the judge didn't understand literature'.Lady Chatterley's Lover was considered controversial as it depicted a passionate relationship between an upper-class woman, Lady Constance Chatterley, and a working-class man, Oliver Mellors. The novel includes swear words and explicit descriptions of sex, and it portrays female sexual pleasure. Lawrence said that he hoped to reclaim sex as something that was acceptable in literature. He wanted to "make the sex relations [in the novel] valid and precious, instead of shameful".In 1960, Penguin was ready to test the Obscene Publications Act. They wrote to the director of public prosecutions (DPP) and warned that they would be publishing an original version of the book. In August that year, Reginald Manningham-Buller, the chief legal adviser to the Crown, read the first four chapters of the novel while travelling on a boat train to Southampton. He wrote to the DPP, approving legal proceedings against Penguin. "I hope you get a conviction," he said. Sir Allen Lane, the founder of Penguin Books, was in Spain as events unfolded. His colleagues advised him to return home immediately.The prosecution argued that the sex in the novel was gratuitous pornographyAdvertisementThe trial of Lady Chatterley's Lover was the first of its kind under the new Act, and the scene was set for a clash between the establishment and those with more liberal views. To support their case in favour of publishing the novel, Penguin summoned a host of expert witnesses including 35 prominent writers and politicians. Among the group was Richard Hoggart, an influential academic and author who was seen as a key witness. He argued that the novel was an essentially moral and "puritan" work, which merely included words that he had heard on a building site on his way to the court.IN HISTORYIn History is a series which uses the BBC's unique audio and video archive to explore historical events that still resonate today. Subscribe to the accompanying weekly newsletter.In opposition, Mervyn Griffith-Jones led the prosecution, which argued that the sex in the novel was gratuitous pornography. "When you have seen the book just ask yourselves, would you approve of your sons and daughters reading it?" Griffith-Jones asked the jury. "Would you leave it lying about your house? Is it a book you would even wish your wives and servants to read?" He also listed nearly 100 uses of swear words in its pages. Mr Justice Byrne, the judge who presided over the trial, pointed out that the low price of the book meant it would "be available for all and sundry to read". These statements are often cited as representing the out-of-touch attitudes of the British establishment at the time. On 2 November 1960, after a six-day trial, the jury took three hours to deliberate and came to a unanimous decision. Penguin Books was found "not guilty" under the Act.More like this:? The risqué romcom that defined a genre? The classic novel rescued from the reject pile? The cult erotic film that became a global hitLady Chatterley's Lover went on sale immediately afterwards, as Penguin had prepared to distribute it in the event of acquittal. They had to work with a new printing firm as their usual one refused to touch it. But the trial had the effect of promoting the book, which sold out of all 200,000 copies on its first day of publication. It went on to sell three million copies in three months.1:54WATCH: 'We don't want the book in the hands of unsuspecting people who might be shocked'.A few days after it went on sale, a shop owner in England, Mr Donati, spoke to BBC News about the novel's immediate popularity. "We ordered 1,000 to start with," he said. "We had every hope of getting them, of course, but in the event, it was cut to half. We received 500 copies. We were open quite early, at five to nine, and I should imagine we've sold 50 or 60 [copies] already… I think we should have to wait at least three weeks [for another stock]."Still, traditional English reserve hadn't vanished overnight. Many customers were too embarrassed to ask for the scandalous novel by name, one bookseller told the BBC. "Some of them just ask for Lady C, some of them just give you three and six [three shilling and sixpence]." As the reporter noted, "It's rather different from selling an ordinary book." But then, Lady Chatterley's Lover was no ordinary book. When published in full, it would become a symbol of freedom of expression, and a sign that Britain's cultural landscape was changing. The poet Philip Larkin captured its significance in his poem, Annus Mirabilis:"Sexual intercourse beganIn nineteen sixty-three(which was rather late for me) –Between the end of the Chatterley banAnd the Beatles' first LP."--For more stories and never-before-published radio scripts to your inbox, sign up to the In History newsletter, while The Essential List delivers a handpicked selection of features and insights twice a week.For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.In HistoryBooksBanned booksFeaturesArtsLiteratureWatchJapan's photo tomb that contained a historic legacyThe Japanese photographer who buried hundreds of photos and the journey to revive his legacy.18 hrs agoTime FrameHow a performance lab is putting musicians to the test BBC Click visits a simulator lab that allows musicians to practice performance in real-world conditions.17 Jan 2025InnovationThe technology powering the iconic Sydney Opera HouseBBC Click heads behind the scenes of the Sydney Opera House to explore the tech powering the famous landmark.3 Jan 2025TechnologyHow the surreal 'Dali Atomicus' was capturedIn 1948 a famous artist and an innovative portrait photographer attempted to create something unbelievable.10 Dec 2024Time FrameWhy Cher has waited until now to write her memoirCher explains why she has finally written her memoir and who it's for.2 Dec 2024BooksA look inside Michelangelo's 'secret room'The BBC gets access to Michelangelo's 'secret hiding room' under the Medici Chapel in Florence.2 Nov 2024Art & DesignAI v The Mind: Meet the world's first artist robotWe find out how AI blurs the line between creation and automation, raising questions about the essence of art.18 Oct 2024InnovationShahmaran: The mythical symbol inspiring Turkish artistsThe 'Shahmaran', half-woman and half-snake, is a mythical figure popular in the folklore of Turkey. 12 Jul 2024Art & DesignThe legendary soprano making a differenceDame Kiri Te Kanawa has enjoyed one of the longest careers in operatic history.2 Mar 2024OperaStriking images of women in the Black Panther PartyStephen Shames' photography offers a radically new and candid picture of the militant black power organisation.24 Feb 2024BooksCallas at 100: 'This is the stuff legends are made of'Zeinab Badawi heads to Athens to celebrate the centenary of the birth of opera soprano Maria Callas.8 Jan 2024OperaWhat do we mean when we talk about 'Islamic art'?Art critic Alastair Sooke travels to Doha to discover some of the treasures of the Museum of Islamic Art.20 Dec 2023Art & DesignThe Doha Hind: The charming 10th-Century garden ornamentArt critic Alastair Sooke learns about a decorative 10th-Century treasure at Doha's Museum of Islamic Art.20 Dec 2023Art & DesignBlue Quran: A rare 1,000-year-old masterpieceArt critic Alastair Sooke learns about a masterpiece of the Islamic world at Doha's Museum of Islamic Art.20 Dec 2023Art & DesignBehind the scenes at La Scala in MilanZeinab Badawi takes us behind the scenes at La Scala in Milan to find out how magic is made.11 Dec 2023OperaThe journey to become an opera singerWe travel to La Scala in Milan, Italy the iconic stage where every opera singer dreams of performing.11 Dec 2023OperaJapan's ancient art of Taiko drummingVisually-impaired content maker Lucy Edwards learns about Japan's ancient art of Taiko drumming.27 Nov 2023Culture & ExperiencesInside the harem where East meets WestJoin art critic Alastair Sooke in Istanbul as he uncovers the intriguing relationship between East and West.21 Nov 2023CultureJapanese sashiko: The art of stitching storiesSashiko is a 400-year-old Japanese stitching technique. What makes it unique?10 Nov 2023StyleThe naked portrait covered up for centuriesArtemisia Gentileschi: Revealing the true beauty of a censored painting.3 Nov 2023ArtADVERTISEMENTHow Much Does A New Garden Fence Cost In 2025? (View)Garden Fence | Paid ContentPaid ContentEx-sergeant major admits sexually assaulting soldier who took her own lifeMichael Webber pleaded guilty to sexual assault against teenage soldier Jaysley Beck, who was left traumatised by the incident.Relationships: I'm happily married but live in a different country from my husbandMargaret says it can be lonely for both her and her husband, but talking regularly makes it work.Alleged Jesus Army child abusers could receive share of fortuneSurvivors of the cult accuse members of feathering their nests.Udaipur: Death penalty for Indian man who burnt alive wife over skin colourThe judge said the murder fell in the category of "rarest of the rare" and was "a crime against humanity".Payout for bar manager told she looked 'very Aryan'Ahmed Magdy Soliman also told Sky Sinclair that she seemed to like white people better.More from the BBC15 hrs agoThe road trip that celebrates a musical legendMany towns and cities along the Blues Trail have planned festivals, exhibitions and live music to mark the 100th birthday of the homegrown musical legend.15 hrs ago17 hrs ago'He is an awful man': Why we are wrong about DarcyMostly miserable and even "unforgivably cruel", Jane Austen's famous romantic hero is not what he seems, writes the author Sebastian Faulks, in an exclusive extract.17 hrs ago18 hrs agoThe simple test to check how old your lungs areThe condition of our lungs can reveal a great deal about our wider health. Luckily you can also get them into better shape.18 hrs ago18 hrs agoJapan's photo tomb that contained a historic legacyThe Japanese photographer who buried hundreds of photos and the journey to revive his legacy.18 hrs ago2 days agoIan McEwan on why humankind 'will scrape through'Author's new novel, What We Can Know, offers a glimpse into a very different Britain 100 years from now.2 days agoBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherBBC ShopBritBoxBBC in other languagesFollow BBC on:Terms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility HelpContact the BBCAdvertise with usDo not share or sell my infoBBC.com Help & FAQsContent IndexCopyright 2025 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
