In September 2022, the book "Bien trop petit" (Far Too Small), written by Manu Causse, became available. However, after 10 months, it was prohibited from being sold. On July 18, 2023, the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, signed an order to prevent the book from being sold to minors.

As reported by ActuaLitté, a website specializing in literature, the order specified that the book, 'clearly intended for youth,' contains 'the unnecessary depiction of numerous very explicit sexual scenes,' especially on specific pages.

The Minister argued that Causse's book 'contains pornographic content, thus posing a danger to minors who could obtain or read it.' As a result, the order states that it is not allowed to offer, give, or sell the youth novel to minors.

Challenging the Censorship

The ban stemmed from a 1949 law barring the dissemination of 'pornographic' content targeted at minors. Causse contended that the authorities made a mistake by censoring a book that does not promote but instead scrutinizes the culture of sexual violence. He argued that the book provides valuable insights for adolescents, emphasizing that sexuality is not synonymous with the themes depicted in popular media like "50 Shades of Grey," explicit manga illustrations, or widely available online pornography.

Causse argued that the scenes singled out by the ministerial decree are written from the perspective of a young boy grappling with his understanding of sexuality after experiencing trauma from a hurtful comment about his appearance. Causse explained that his reaction was to write explicit content, drawing from material available for years, including from the 1980s, and still accessible online. He saw his work as an exploration of writing rather than explicit pornography.

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The publishing company behind the novel is disputing the ban, pointing out that the mention 'from 15 years old' is on the back cover. However, the government and the commission overseeing publications for children and adolescents deemed this insufficient.

Despite the ban, the publishing company is determined to keep "Bien trop petit" available. They argued that literature plays a vital role 'in the ongoing battles.'

'Bien trop petit': A Journey of Self-Discovery

For context, "Bien trop petit" narrates the story of Grégoire, a teenager who becomes self-conscious after a classmate ridicules the size of his genitals during a pool outing. He loses his desire to attend school and finds comfort in writing instead. His fanfiction characters, Max Egrogire and Chloé Rembrandt, offer him solace, but their stories draw unwanted attention.

His writings are shared on a forum and capture the interest of Kika, who encourages him to delve deeper into themes of eroticism. She becomes both his initial audience and his primary evaluator.

In writing "Far Too Small," Causse's main aim was to tap into the vivid and often uninformed imagination of teenagers, drawing from his own experiences as a youth. Reflecting on his upbringing, where discussions about sexuality were scarce, he sought to explore what it means to navigate masculinity with sensitivity and openmindedness. Contemplating what lessons he wished to impart to his children, he pondered on the guidance his father could have provided regarding male sexuality.

The prohibition of "Bien trop petit" raises concerns about balancing freedom of expression with safeguarding young readers from potentially harmful content. It also highlights the ongoing discussion regarding censorship in literature, mainly aimed at youth audiences.

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