Lee Child, the multi-million selling author and the UK's first Prison Reading Laureate, has branded censorship as 'grotesque' and urged society to resist it with every fibre. Speaking at the Royal Society of Arts in London, the Jack Reacher creator condemned recent reports of schools removing certain books from shelves and libraries in Essex being instructed not to promote events like Pride and Black History Month.
'A Vile, Vile Thing'
Child told an audience: 'One of my greatest fears, and this is observable, is that what happens in America happens here ten years later. We are headed in that direction and it’s got to be resisted.' He described censorship as 'a vile, vile thing' and 'an expression of toxicity in our society.' He added: 'Nobody particularly cares what’s in the book, that’s not their issue, they just want to attack somebody. And it’s something we need to resist with every fibre. Censorship is the worst possible thing, and we should do everything in our power to ridicule and denounce and oppose that in every way we can.'
Books Banned in US States
Child, 71, noted that several of his own books have been banned from libraries in US states including Florida and Missouri. He is currently working with charity The Reading Agency to deliver 480,000 Quick Reads into prisons across the UK. The author stressed that every idea should be available for examination and consumption.
Essex Libraries Told to Be 'Neutral Spaces'
Earlier this week, Essex County Council instructed library staff not to highlight events unrelated to day-to-day activities. Chris Hossack, Reform’s cabinet member for residents and community services, said he wanted Essex's 74 libraries to be 'neutral spaces.' Librarians were told they should no longer promote events on social media or create bespoke book displays. Last year, the Lowry Academy in Salford faced criticism after removing books containing 'inappropriate content,' including George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, and certain LGBT titles.
Call for Legislation on School Libraries
Child also suggested legislation should be introduced to compel British schools to have libraries. Currently, prisons must provide libraries but not primary schools. He explained: 'Nobody thought about making a law about it. It was like saying, we should have a law that the primary school has a roof. Then finances get squeezed and, if there’s no mandate, it can be disposed of. So I believe there should be legislation so now primary schools have got to have libraries.'
Libraries Under Pressure
Child described libraries as being under terrible pressure. His own local library in Birmingham, which was transformational in his life, is now only open two days a week. Having been appointed the UK’s first Prison Reading Laureate earlier this year, Child has been going into prisons to encourage inmates to read. Research shows 65% of adult inmates struggle to read unfamiliar texts.
Quick Reads Programme
Child said he had met women in prison for not paying their TV License because they couldn’t read, which he called 'ridiculous.' He noted that if his work could keep even one in ten inmates from reoffending, it could be transformational, saving police, court, and prison time and money. Launched in 2006, Quick Reads publishes short books by bestselling and emerging authors for adults who find reading challenging. The programme has published 147 titles, sold or gifted over 5.6 million copies, and generated nearly 6.4 million library loans.
Upcoming Novel
Child's 31st Jack Reacher novel, Chain Reaction, co-written with his brother Andrew, will be published in the autumn.
