Few library takers as book ban ends

CONTROVERSIAL: Author of Into the River Ted Dawe,who wrote it for young adults. PHOTOS/FILE

It seems recent controversy over young adult novel Into the River hasn't excited interest from readers at Wanganui libraries.

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

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

Wanganui District Council community and culture manager Sally Patrick said Wanganui libraries had four copies of Into the River. The books were purchased in May 2013 and had a total of 19 issues collectively before the ban. The books were issued at a rate of less than once a month.

Ms Patrick said the novel was now back on shelves at Wanganui libraries.

She said there had been no real change in the popularity of the book since the ban and the libraries did not plan to purchase more copies.

Ms Patrick said she did not agree with the interim ban on the book.

"Into the River is an award-winning teenage novel. That the majority of the Film and Literature Board of Review voted to remove the temporary restriction is justification that the interim ban was in no way necessary," she said.

According to 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 the book described, depicted or otherwise dealt with matters such as sex, crime, cruelty and violence.

It said it had read, considered and discussed all aspects of the book about which submitters had expressed concern. 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 or pointed to injury to the public good if the book were again available on an unrestricted basis.

The decision said the book could have a positive impact on the public good if it either encouraged young adults to read, or raised the real problems surrounding bullying for thought and debate. The book described unacceptable, offensive and objectionable behaviours but did not promote them.

"On the contrary, the book clearly sets out to discourage and discredit such behaviours," the decision said.