Publisher's Synopsis
In 1960 Penguin Books were prosecuted when they tried to publish Lady Chatterley's Lover unexpurgated for the first time. What followed was the most talked-about obscenity trial of the twentieth century, which resulted in a 'not guilty' verdict. Penguin's successful defence of the book's literary merit was a victory of free speech, and made Lawrence's story of the affair between a married woman and her gamekeeper an instant bestseller. This special edition celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first UK publication of D. H. Lawrence¹s unexpurgated novel in 1960 and the most talked-about obscenity trial of the twentieth century. It includes afterwords by Geoffrey Robertson QC, about the legal case that changed Britain, and Steve Hare, revealing the story behind Penguin¹s decision to publish, as well as a detailed timeline and never-before-published letters and documents relating to the trial.
