The Censor’s Library, by Nicole Moore

The Censor’s Library really is a very interesting book.  Prior to reading it, I had thought that censorship in Australia was mostly a matter of wowserism, but Nicole Moore makes it clear that there was much more to it than that.

The Censor’s Library covers so much territory that it’s hard to know where to begin.  I read a chapter or so each morning over weekday breakfasts for the best part of six weeks, and often found myself scribbling down thoughts while my cereal went soggy and my coffee cooled.  I have scraps of commentary all through the book on the backs of envelopes and sticky notes, and just writing this review makes me want to read parts of it again, particularly since the book has been shortlisted in the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards in the Prize for Australian History category.   Exploring 12000 banned items held in 793 boxes covering 60 years of…