Robert Close

Robert Close (1903-1995) was an Australian novelist and writer best known for his controversial 1946 novel "Love Me Sailor," which led to his prosecution for obscenity and briefly made him a cause célèbre in Australian literary circles. Close's most significant work, "Love Me Sailor," tells the story of a woman passenger aboard a sailing ship and her relationships with the crew. The novel was banned in Australia after its publication, and Close was fined and sentenced to three months in jail, though he served only 10 days before being released on appeal. After the controversy, Close relocated to Europe where he continued writing and spent much of his later life in France. He produced several other novels including "With Hooves of Brass" (1961) and "The Voyage Continues" (1969), though none achieved the notoriety of his earlier work. The obscenity trial and subsequent exile marked Close as an important figure in Australia's cultural history, particularly in debates about literary censorship and artistic freedom. His experience highlighted the conservative social attitudes prevalent in mid-20th century Australia.

Readers and critics primarily focus on "Love Me Sailor," with limited discussion of Close's other works. The novel draws interest mainly for its historical significance in Australian censorship rather than its literary merit. What readers liked: - Raw, direct writing style that captures life at sea - Complex portrayal of sexual politics for its era - Historical importance as a banned book - Exploration of social taboos in 1940s Australia What readers disliked: - Dated language and attitudes - Melodramatic plot developments - Thin character development - Overemphasis on shocking content rather than storytelling Modern reader reviews are sparse. On Goodreads, "Love Me Sailor" has fewer than 20 ratings with an average of 3.2/5 stars. Later works like "With Hooves of Brass" have minimal online presence or reviews. Academic interest remains primarily focused on the obscenity trial rather than Close's literary contributions. One Goodreads reviewer notes: "More historically interesting than literarily compelling - a product very much of its time."

Love Me Sailor (1946) A controversial novel about a female passenger's relationships with crew members aboard a sailing vessel, leading to Australia's last successful criminal prosecution for literary obscenity.

With Hooves of Brass (1961) A novel following characters navigating life in post-war Australia and Europe.

The Voyage Continues (1969) A story exploring themes of travel and personal discovery across international settings.

D.H. Lawrence wrote extensively about romantic and sexual relationships while facing censorship and bans for his explicit content. His novels like "Lady Chatterley's Lover" dealt with similar themes of passion and societal restrictions that Close explored.

James T. Farrell focused on raw depictions of life and sexuality in works like the Studs Lonigan trilogy, facing similar controversies in the 1930s-40s. His naturalistic style and willingness to confront taboo subjects parallel Close's approach.

Henry Miller wrote candidly about sexuality and relationships in works that were banned in multiple countries during the mid-20th century. His experiences with censorship and exile mirror Close's own journey.

Frank Hardy was an Australian author who faced legal challenges for his writing in the same era as Close. His work "Power Without Glory" led to a criminal libel trial that, like Close's case, highlighted issues of literary freedom in Australia.

Edmund White writes frankly about relationships and sexuality while examining social constraints on personal freedom. His work continues the tradition of authors who challenge censorship and social conventions through literature.