Could a Literary Obscenity Trial Happen Today?

By Edward Nawotka

Today’s lead story looks at the career of Norwegian novelist Agnar Mykle who was felled in the 1950s by a notorious obscenity trial. By today’s standards, Mykle’s books — while still depicting sex — are mild. Today, there are writers who cater to every sexual fetish, disposition, perversion and interest — and, of course, genuine pornography is for most people only a mouse click away.

With that in mind, could a literary obscenity trial happen today? Is there a limit? Something so taboo as to raise the ire of moral judiciary? (And please note, we’re talking about in the West and not the parts of the Middle East, Africa and Asia where censorship is the norm.)

Let us know what you think in the comments.