Christopher Hilliard Livres

For Victorian lawmakers and judges, the circulation of a book hinged on the perceived mental and moral capacities of its readers, particularly the increasingly literate working classes. This legal perspective persisted despite societal changes. In 1960, during the obscenity trial of D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover, the prosecutor questioned whether the book was suitable for one’s wife or servants. Christopher Hilliard explores the evolution of British censorship from the Victorian era to Margaret Thatcher, highlighting the friction between obscenity laws and a transforming society. He delves into significant obscenity trials and the everyday practices of censorship, offering insights into the British reception of literary modernism, cinema, and American pulp fiction. Hilliard examines the perspectives of lawyers, police, authors, publishers, politicians, and citizens as they navigated the complexities of freedom and morality. He illustrates how both supporters and opponents of censorship sought to reshape the law in response to evolving views on sexuality and culture that emerged in the 1960s. Drawing on extensive archival research, this book reveals how censorship issues prompted British society to confront challenges related to mass literacy, democratization, feminism, gay rights, and multiculturalism.

Exploring the evolution of censorship in modern Britain, this book delves into significant events and societal changes that shaped the landscape of free expression. It examines key legislation, influential figures, and pivotal moments that highlight the ongoing tension between authority and individual rights. Through detailed analysis, the narrative reveals how censorship has impacted literature, media, and public discourse, providing insights into the cultural and political implications of controlling information in society.

Littlehampton in the 1920s was menaced by a bizarre poison-pen case, which required the attention of a leading Metropolitan Police detective, and resulted in four criminal trials before the real culprit was finally punished. The Littlehampton Libels untangles this mystery story, exploring the inner lives of an English working-class community.