1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Though not explicitly banned as often as others, Frankenstein was widely condemned and frequently excluded from reading lists and public libraries, according to Sydney Robinson from The Tampa Bay Times. Its themes of scientific hubris, the role of God, and monstrous creation disturbed many moral authorities. Some considered it too dark and “godless” for respectable readers. In some religious communities, it was denounced as satanic.
But the novel sparked a passionate following among thinkers, students, and young readers fascinated by its moral dilemmas. Its cautionary tale resonated deeply in an era of rapid technological and philosophical change. Shelley’s creation became a symbol of modern anxiety and ambition. Even those who banned it couldn’t erase its impact.
2. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Published in 1852, Uncle Tom’s Cabin became a runaway bestseller that galvanized anti-slavery sentiment across the North. But in the South, the book was outright banned for its fierce critique of slavery and its emotional appeal to white readers’ conscience, according to Erin Blakemore from National Geographic. Authorities feared it would incite rebellion and stoke abolitionist fires in a volatile time. That fear wasn’t unfounded—Abraham Lincoln reportedly called Stowe “the little lady who made this great war.”
Its massive popularity didn’t save it from censorship and suppression. Southern states claimed it spread falsehoods and painted slaveholders in too harsh a light. Meanwhile, Northern readers snapped up copies, and it became the second best-selling book of the century after the Bible. This tension made Uncle Tom’s Cabin a flashpoint in American culture.
3. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Though now a staple of American literature, The Scarlet Letter faced bans in several libraries and schools when it was first published in 1850, according to Esther Lombardi from ThoughtCo. Its themes of adultery, shame, and female agency were considered too risqué for polite society. Some critics found Hawthorne’s sympathetic portrayal of Hester Prynne, a woman who bore a child out of wedlock, morally questionable. The book struck a nerve in a society still deeply governed by Puritan values.
Yet readers couldn’t get enough of it. Hawthorne’s dark, psychological exploration of guilt and repression captivated a nation grappling with its own moral complexities. Despite the pushback, the novel enjoyed strong sales and critical acclaim. That contrast between censure and celebration cemented its place in the American canon.
4. The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle by Tobias Smollett
Originally published in 1751, Smollett’s bawdy novel gained new traction in 19th-century America, particularly among male readers. But its frank depictions of sexual escapades and satirical tone led to it being banned in more conservative circles and library collections. Its European origins and unfiltered humor clashed with American Victorian sensibilities. Critics called it vulgar, indecent, and dangerous for impressionable youth.
Despite that, readers—especially sailors and frontier folk—devoured it. Smollett’s roguish characters and fast-paced plots offered an escape from rigid social norms. Publishers continued reprinting it for decades, often with redacted passages. It stood as a reminder that moral censors couldn’t keep everything buttoned up.
5. Fanny Hill by John Cleland
Few books caused as much of a stir as Fanny Hill, originally written in 1748 but still wildly circulated in 19th-century America, according to John Sutherland from The Guardian. This erotic novel was officially banned under obscenity laws, including the infamous Comstock Law of 1873. It was often seized by postal inspectors and removed from shelves when discovered. Despite that, it circulated clandestinely and fueled a thriving underground market.
Its detailed sexual content shocked many but intrigued even more. The book’s open celebration of pleasure made it irresistible to readers who could get their hands on it. It became symbolic of the battle between censorship and literary freedom. Even in suppression, Fanny Hill never really went away.
6. Tom Jones by Henry Fielding
Fielding’s novel, filled with comic misadventures and suggestive undertones, was another European import that made waves in the U.S. first published in 1749. By the 19th century, it was immensely popular but frequently challenged for its moral laxity. Many libraries refused to carry it, and critics slammed it for encouraging immoral behavior. Its protagonist’s romantic exploits were deemed unsuitable for young or “virtuous” readers.
Still, it was beloved for its humor, warmth, and insight into human nature. Readers admired Tom’s good-heartedness, even if his choices weren’t always squeaky clean. The novel’s storytelling and character development set a standard for future fiction. People read it in private even when they couldn’t in public.
7. The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine
Paine’s deist critique of organized religion, published in parts between 1794 and 1807, caused waves well into the 19th century. In deeply religious America, The Age of Reason was seen as blasphemous and dangerous, leading to its ban in many places. Preachers denounced it from pulpits, and some sellers were arrested for distributing it. Yet the book never stopped circulating among freethinkers and skeptics.
Paine’s argument that reason should guide belief struck a chord with Enlightenment-minded readers. It helped spark debates on religious tolerance, personal liberty, and the role of faith in society. Even critics admitted its rhetorical power was undeniable. Its very prohibition seemed to increase its mystique.
8. The Mysteries of Paris by Eugène Sue
Originally serialized in France in the 1840s, The Mysteries of Paris became wildly popular in the U.S. during the 19th century—but not without controversy. Its gritty depictions of crime, poverty, and vice in urban life were considered too sordid by some American moralists. Religious groups and library boards criticized it for glamorizing the underworld and corrupting readers with sensationalism. It was banned or quietly removed from reading lists in more conservative areas.
Still, American readers devoured it, and the book inspired a flood of imitative “urban mystery” novels across the country. It was one of the first works to portray society’s underclass in a complex, almost sympathetic light. That humanization, along with its thrilling plots, made it unforgettable. The moral panic only helped cement its place in the public imagination.
9. Rousseau’s Confessions by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau’s candid autobiography shocked readers with its exploration of personal shame, sexuality, and emotional vulnerability. Though published in the late 18th century, it became widely read—and banned—in 19th-century America. Its honesty was too raw for some, especially given Rousseau’s critiques of conventional morality. Libraries and moral societies often kept it off-limits.
Yet that same openness helped readers connect deeply with Rousseau’s humanity. He laid bare his fears, failings, and joys in a way few had done before. His influence on later writers was immense, from Thoreau to Whitman. Even in censorship, the power of his voice carried through.
10. The Monk by Matthew Lewis
This Gothic shocker, first published in 1796, didn’t lose steam as it crossed into American hands in the 19th century. With its themes of lust, murder, and the supernatural, The Monk was seen as deeply corrupting. Some American clergy called for it to be banned outright, fearing it would “rot the soul.” It often made lists of books considered inappropriate for libraries and schools.
Nonetheless, it thrilled readers with its atmosphere and daring narrative. Lewis’s blend of horror and psychological drama prefigured modern thrillers. It helped define the Gothic novel in American literary circles. Banned or not, people couldn’t stop reading it.
11. Candide by Voltaire
Voltaire’s razor-sharp satire didn’t sit well with 19th-century American sensibilities. Though admired for its literary merit, Candide was often banned for its irreverence toward religion and authority. Its critiques of optimism and institutional corruption struck too close to home for many. Schools and libraries in more conservative areas refused to carry it.
Still, its biting wit and philosophical edge made it a favorite among intellectuals. Many readers appreciated how it poked holes in comfortable dogmas. The book managed to circulate through private clubs and imported editions. And over time, it gained traction as a classic of world literature.
12. Don Juan by Lord Byron
Byron’s epic poem about a roguish seducer was controversial almost from the moment it hit print. It wasn’t just the content—it was Byron’s irreverent tone and his unrepentant critique of hypocrisy that ruffled feathers. In 19th-century America, Don Juan was often banned from schools and public libraries. Some considered it blasphemous and morally degrading.
Yet Byron’s celebrity status helped fuel its popularity. Readers were drawn to his charisma, wit, and fearless honesty. Even those who condemned it often read it in secret. Its banned status only added to its allure.
13. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
Whitman’s groundbreaking poetry collection, first published in 1855, wasn’t just revolutionary—it was scandalous. The free verse and candid references to the body and sensuality led to it being banned in places like Boston and famously called “an insult and an impiety” by critics. Authorities demanded expurgated editions, but Whitman stood by his work and self-published multiple editions. Its openness about sexuality was decades ahead of its time.
Still, it resonated deeply with readers looking for something new and raw. Ralph Waldo Emerson praised it, helping boost its popularity despite the controversy. The very elements that provoked outrage also made it memorable and magnetic. Over time, Leaves of Grass helped redefine what American poetry could be.
14. Zanoni by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
This mystical novel blended romance, secret societies, and esoteric wisdom—and it unnerved many 19th-century Americans. Religious groups and moral crusaders viewed it as promoting occultism and undermining Christian faith. Some editions were banned from public libraries, especially in Puritan-leaning regions. The book’s interest in immortality and spiritual transcendence was seen as dangerous or heretical.
Yet readers found it compelling and visionary. Its themes of sacrifice, love, and enlightenment echoed the growing spiritualist movement in America. It became a cult favorite, often passed hand-to-hand. Zanoni proved that banning a book could never fully extinguish its spark.
