Most people know Theodor Seuss Geisel, better-known as Dr. Seuss, for being the author of some of the most iconic children’s books. He wasn’t just a children’s book author, though. He was also a radical ideologist and a lover of reading. Also, he didn’t JUST write books for children, though. One of his publications is actually scandalous (prepare to have your childhood ruined.. or maybe a little warped.):
In 1939, when Geisel left Vanguard for Random House, he had one condition for his new publisher, Bennett Cerf. He wanted to write an “adult” book. That book was The Seven Lady Godivas: The True Facts Concerning History’s Barest Family, which tells the story of nudist sisters.
Dr. Seuss described it as a “beautiful story of love, honor and scientific achievement has too long been gathering dust in the archives.”
(H/T Brain Pickings)
The book was a flop and eventually went out of print. Even if you never read it yourself, you now know that your favorite author as a child actually dabbled in semi-pornographic illustrations. I’ll never look at One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish the same way again.
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