30 AUGUST 1968, Page 26

What is obscene?

Sir : Censorship, being an infringement on liberty, is always deplorable, and Mr John Calder, who published Last Exit to Brooklyn, is therefore to be congratulated on the fact that the book is no longer banned, especially, as he rightly points out, since there is no evi- dence that it has ever corrupted or depraved anyone.

Having said this, let us refrain from mouth- ing sanctimonious bilge about the 'understand- ing of artistic merit.' The book has no more merit than any other pornography dealing with sodomy and violence. Let Mr Calder sell the book and more power to him. But spare us the cant.

Nameer Ali Jawdat Billrothstrasse 57/3/3, Vienna 19, Austria