Neil Gaiman novel banned by New Mexico school after mother objects

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Neil Gaiman novel banned by New Mexico school after mother objects

David Barnett
theguardian.com, Friday 11 October 2013 14.47 BST

Neil Gaiman's urban fantasy novel Neverwhere has been removed from a New Mexico school's "required reading list" after a mother objected to her daughter bringing it home.

According to the state's KRQE news station, Nancy Wilmott complained to Alamogordo High School because of the book's "sexual innuendos and harsh language".

When asked to read sections of the book on air she declined. "I cannot read this to you and put it on the news," she said. "It's too inappropriate. It's that bad."

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Portsmouth-born Gaiman, who now lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is currently back in the UK promoting his new children's book Fortunately, The Milk, on the back of a mammoth tour for his recent fantasy novel The Ocean at the End of the Lane. After hearing of the ban he asked on Twitter: "Is anyone fighting back?"

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/11/neil-gaiman-novel-banned-new-mexico-school

[closeupready]

1. That is one of my favorite books. What a loss for those kids.

[lostincalifornia]

2. It is a great book. Banning a book? is this nazi Germany?

[Avalux]

3. Yes, this is how we do things in America.

One uptight woman doesn't want her high school age daughter to be exposed to Gaiman's 'offensive' words and *poof* it's gone. I wonder if mom locks her kid up all day and keeps her away from friends and the internet too.

Gaiman is a fantastic author. What a loss.

[Tikki]

4. Well, that is sad...

Gaiman is an amazing writer and there is NOTHING wrong with reading Neverwhere.

Poor girl, I hope she gets a chance to read that book through another venue.


Tikki