The Golden Age of Censorship

Do you remember the video nasty? It is 1984 and video has just arrived. With it comes a widespread distrust and fear. The public dread a deluge of porn and ultraviolence. Eager to reflect the public mood, Parliament decides to panic too, and gifts sweeping powers to the chief film censor, Nick Berg. Every film ever made has to be reclassified for home viewing. But rather than become a tool of moral hysteria, Berg has a grand plan. He will create an entirely new kind of censorship - benign, thoughtful, intelligent. First, he must create a team to implement his wishes. This 'Magnificent Seven' will have the power to decide what others can and cannot see. They will encounter the great monuments of censorship - "The Exorcist", "Cannibal Holocaust" and "Reservoir Dogs" - as well as the obscure and unexpected: "Rupert Bear" and "Little Yum" and the almost unwatchable "Nappy Love". But off-screen, all is soon not well in the inner sanctum. What Berg doesn't realize is that his prized rationale is flawed. Fault lines appear within his team of seven. And a struggle for power is set in motion which quickly leads to betrayal, madness and, ultimately, death. Paul Hoffman, a former senior censor at the British Board of Film Classification, has written a compelling and captivating novel that challenges our ideas about censorship, prejudice and the fine line between art and exploitation.

Paul Hoffman, a former senior censor at the British Board of Film Classification, has written a compelling and captivating novel that challenges our ideas about censorship, prejudice and the fine line between art and exploitation.

"engrossingly brilliant...an exhilaratingly engaging book" - The Spectator

"Hoffman's witty style and command of satire, coupled with the unique setting, makes this a very original and enjoyable novel" - Time Out