The authors of the Taiwanese novels branded 'indecent' by the Obscene Articles Tribunal share that dubious honour with some of the world's most famous writers.

DH Lawrence (1885-1930), now regarded as one of Britain's most original writers, had his most famous work banned in the United States and Britain. After it was first published in 1928, Lady Chatterley's Lover, Lawrence's tale of a woman from the aristocra cy who finds love with her crippled husband's gamekeeper, was banned because their love-making was described in detail.

Besides its depiction of sex, Lady Chatterley's Lover became famous for the length of time it was banned. It was finally allowed to go on sale in the United States in 1959 and in Britain the follow ing year.