topics: |  fiction | usa

After it's publication in 1933, Caldwell was arrested when he came to New
York for a book signing event.  He was then tried for obscenity, and he
counter-sued.  Controversial passages include the following:

    Griselda stepped backward out of his reach. She was not afraid of Will,
    because she knew he would not hurt her. ... Will caught the collar of her
    dress, a hand on each side and flung his arms wide apart.  The thin
    printed voile disintegrated in his hands like steam.  He had ripped it
    from her, ... Piece by piece he tore like a madman, hurling the fluffy
    lint in all directions around the room.  The final garment was silk.  He
    tore at it frantically, even more savagely than he had at the beginning.
    When that was one, she was standing before him, waiting, trembling, just
    as he had said she would stand.  ... He ran, throwing his hands on
    her. p. 119-120 - AM