Banned Books: Top 10 Quotes

Banned Books Week is almost over. But BBW isn't only about calling attention to banned or challenged books. The week-long event also works to promote intellectual freedom and to call attention to writers persecuted for their works.

In honor of the last few days of Banned Books Week, let some of your favorite (and often censored) writers tell you what they think about censorship. (Assembled with help of Buzzfeed.)

South African novelist, professor, and translator.
His novel "Kennis van die aand" (Knowledge of the Night) was the first Afrikaans book to be banned by the South African government, in 1973.

A 19th German poet, best known for his lyric poetry, later set to music by composers such as Robert Schumann and Franz Schubert. His radical political views led to many of his works being banned by German authorities, and he spent the last 25 years of his life as an expatriate in Paris.

American author and humorist best know for "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1876) and its sequel, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1885), the latter often called the Great American Novel. "Huckleberry Finn" is one of the most frequently banned books in America.

An Irish playwright and critic, best known for "Pygmalion." He was a strong opponent of censorship, and wrote a treatise defending fellow playwright Henrik Ibsen when his realist plays scandalized the Victorian public.

Writer best known for her friendship with Voltaire (to whom this quote is often attributed) and her biography of the famous philosopher, called "Friends of Voltaire." In order to escape censorship of her own works, and to get them published at all, Hall wrote under the pseudonym S.G. Tallentyre.

American fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery writer. His best known work is dystopian novel "Fahrenheit 451" (1953), about a world where books are burned to protect against individualism and independent thought. Ironically, the heavy subject matter and use of the word "damn" has caused the book to be banned in some school districts.

An American essayist, lecturer, and poet, who led the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. He was seen as a champion of individualism and a constant critic of censorship and societal pressures.

English novelist, poet, critic, and teacher, best known for his first novel, "Lucky Jim" (1954). Sir Kingsley is currently involved in a censorship case involving letters he wrote to poet Phillip Larkin while at school; although he gave permission for his official biographer to use them, Oxford's Bodleian Library refuses to release them.

French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, speech, and trade. his most famous work, "Candide," was and is subject to censorship for its criticisms of religion and government.

English horror and fantasy author, best known for his children's book "Coraline" and for the "Sandman" graphic novels. Gaiman is an outspoken proponent of Banned Books Week, and "Coraline" has been banned for inappropriate material in the past.