Publish and Be Damned? The Satanic Verses Controversy as a Turning Point in British Publishing History
James Edgar
Abstract
The article argues that The Satanic Verses controversy represents a turning point in British publishing history. In the post-Satanic-Verses era, publication of works, fiction and non-fiction, in Britain and abroad, has taken place within a new narrative structured by the dichotomies of the west versus Islam, freedom of expression versus duty not to offend and (most pertinently for publishing students), to publish versus not to publish. Two recent controversies highlight the continuing difficulty of publishing works which are deemed offensive to religious sentiment. More significantly, ought publishers to publish regardless of the sentiments of some readers, or should they be sensitive to the feelings of those whom the book might offend?
James Edgar
Abstract
The article argues that The Satanic Verses controversy represents a turning point in British publishing history. In the post-Satanic-Verses era, publication of works, fiction and non-fiction, in Britain and abroad, has taken place within a new narrative structured by the dichotomies of the west versus Islam, freedom of expression versus duty not to offend and (most pertinently for publishing students), to publish versus not to publish. Two recent controversies highlight the continuing difficulty of publishing works which are deemed offensive to religious sentiment. More significantly, ought publishers to publish regardless of the sentiments of some readers, or should they be sensitive to the feelings of those whom the book might offend?