A confiscated novel found more readersSourced
Paris seized a novel for immorality. The ban helped make it popular.
Prévost's Manon Lescaut appeared in 1731 with unmarried lovers and a descent into crime. In 1733, copies for sale in Paris were seized over its supposedly immoral content. The effective ban increased interest and prompted unauthorized reprints.
Trying to suppress a story gave it new attention.
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Manon Lescaut · Wikimedia contributors
Adapted, summarized and translated from the source. Adapted text is also available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reviewed: 2026-10-01