Recently I’ve been reading a book called Sheepshagger by Niall Griffiths, and while it’s a very good read, it’s also quite shocking at times. No, the title isn’t meant literally, but it contains a lot of violence described in very minute detail, and is generally a very visceral book. Despite feeling slightly sick in parts and probably wearing a horrified expression while reading it on the Tube, I haven’t been put off the excellent story.

There are many great books which are also controversial for their shocking content. Some that spring to mind are A Clockwork Orange, Lord of the Flies, Lady Chatterley’s Lover (today’s Fifty Shades of Grey readers wouldn’t so much as blush, I’m sure), and American Psycho. Some even list the Bible as a controversial book, and I must say that the bits of the Old Testament I’ve read can get pretty violent. But these are some of the most well-known books in history, so perhaps a bit of controversy is a good thing?

Does anyone else have any favourite reads they also found a bit shocking?

Sara Magness, Editorial Administrator