Margaret Atwood mocks Utah for banning her book in schools
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Author Margaret Atwood speaks at New York City's Lincoln Center in April. Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME
Author Margaret Atwood is mocking Utah for banning her book "Oryx and Crake" in schools statewide.
State of play: The book is one of 13 that were banned from all public schools in Utah, state education officials announced last week.
- 12 were written by women.
What they're saying: "Wow, I'm the most dangerous little old lady of 84 you've ever heard of!" Atwood posted Wednesday on X. "Oh alas, whatever will I do? Hit Utah with my cane?"
What's inside: Atwood's "Oryx and Crake" depicts the dystopia left by the collapse of a hyper-corporatized society fueled by genetic engineering.
- In a 2022 slideshow, state Rep. Ken Ivory (R-West Jordan), singled out the book for sexual content — though the highlighted passages describe a character who is harmfully objectified, rather than lauding her objectification.
Catch up quick: Under a law passed this year by state lawmakers, books are banned in all Utah public schools if three or more districts — or two districts and five charter schools — deem them "pornographic or indecent," based on challenges by parents, students or employees.
The intrigue: Conservative groups have circulated lists of books to target in school and public libraries, increasing the likelihood that multiple districts will receive a complaint about a given book.
How it works: Under a "model policy" the Utah State Board of Education passed in 2022, districts were advised to forward complaints of "sensitive materials" to a committee where parents outnumber educators, to determine whether a title should be restricted.
- To decide what counts as "sensitive material," the law directs schools to use existing statutes that define "pornographic or indecent material" for children.
Caveat: Those statues allow for content with "serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors, taking into consideration the ages of all minors who could be exposed to the material."
Yes, but: The law signed by Gov. Spencer Cox in March requires schools to "prioritize protecting children from the harmful effects of illicit pornography over other considerations" as they decide which books to forbid.
The big picture: Attempts to ban books from schools and public libraries have risen sharply in recent years.
- In Utah, as elsewhere, banned titles overwhelmingly address race, gender and LGBTQ+ themes.
Here are the other banned books:
- "A Court of Thorns and Roses," "A Court of Frost and Starlight," "A Court of Mist and Fury," "A Court of Silver Flames," "A Court of Wings and Ruin," and "Empire of Storms" by Sarah J. Maas
- "What Girls are Made of" by Elana K. Arnold
- "Milk and Honey" by Rupi Kaur
- "Forever" by Judy Blume
- "Tilt" and "Fallout (Crank, Book 3)" by Ellen Hopkins
- "Blankets" by Craig Thompson