Ban fuels book demand

This book has been hot property in Rotorua since a restriction order was placed on it. Photo / File

Controversy around youth novel Into the River has led to rising interest in the book at the Rotorua library.

The president of the Film and Literature Board of Review issued an interim restriction order in September banning sale or distribution of Ted Dawe's book pending completion of a review, following a Family First application.

This month the book, which contains sex, crime and violence, was classified as unrestricted.

Rotorua District Library director Jane Gilbert said the library had one copy of the book, which it purchased in March 2013. It was issued 13 times before the interim ban came into place in September this year - a rate of less than once every two months. She said the novel was available to borrowers again.

Children's and Teens librarian Kylie Foster said Into the River had been out once since the ban was lifted last week. Currently three people had reserved the book.

"It has generated a lot of discussion in the community, so I think it will continue to be popular over the coming months," she said.

Ms Gilbert said the library would buy a second copy if enough people put the book on hold.

She said she thought the ban on the novel was "a bit over the top".

"It drew a lot of attention to the book so I think it's only raised its interest in the community," she said.

McLeods Booksellers Rotorua owner Lynne Jones said the controversy had not increased their customers' interest in the book.

"We haven't noticed an increase in sales of Into the River, but we will see what the next few weeks brings. I haven't read it personally but a colleague that has read it says she didn't find it to be inappropriate at all," she said.

According to the Film and Literature Board of Review's most recent decision on Into the River, the board received more than 550 submissions and emails expressing views about the book. The board said it accepted there were aspects of the book which many would find offensive and regard as inappropriate for children.

However, none of the submissions provided any direct evidence of any harm caused when the book was available on an unrestricted basis.