Jacob Rees-Mogg has hit out at the idea authors are being done a “favour” by having their work rewritten tin order for “offensive” language to be removed.
It comes as PG Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster books became the latest piece of work to be targeted by publishers seeking to remove language that may offend.
Original passages in the series have reportedly been reworked or removed for new editions that have been issued by publisher Penguin Random House.
In a fiery debate on GB News, social commentator Narinder Kaur argued authors like Roald Dahl and PG Wodehouse, who are not alive to have seen their work being amended, have been done a “favour”.
PG Wodehouse books are set for a woke rewritePA / GB NewsPlease write at least 2 paragraphs
She stated: “It makes them more accessible. It gets newer readers to these books. It’s about making these books accessible.
“You can’t keep in this offensive language because that is not what society is about.
“Roald Dahl books should have been changed as well, you can’t call a woman ‘horsey-faced’.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg took issue with the point, asking: “Why not?”
PG Wodehouse books could be set for amendments
PA
He continued: “This is absolutely absurd. People are allowed to say things that are not invariably flattering. You can’t expect us all to be going around saying ‘this is the most beautiful and elegant person who happened to be a witch who turned children into mice’.
“If you want to turn children into mice, you’re a bad person. With a bit of luck, you’re ugly because that’s a bit of a warning.
“I seem to remember that the witches weren’t ugly because they cover themselves up incredibly well, you couldn’t be sure whether someone was a witch or not.”
The Telegraph reported a disclaimer now appears in the opening pages of a reissue of Thank You, Jeeves, having been deemed “unacceptable” by the publisher.
“Please be aware that this book was published in the 1930s and contains language, themes and characterisations which you may find outdated," it reads.
“In the present edition we have sought to edit, minimally, words that we regard as unacceptable to present-day readers.”
It comes after references within Roald Dahl’s classic children’s books relating to weight, mental health, violence, gender and race were been cut and rewritten, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Edits reportedly include removing the word “fat” from every book, Augustus Gloop in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory is now described as “enormous” and The Cloud-Men in James And The Giant Peach have become Cloud-People.
The Roald Dahl Story Company confirmed it began a review into the books alongside publishers Puffin in 2020, and that any changes made were “small and carefully considered”.
A spokesperson for the Roald Dahl Story Company said: “We want to ensure that Roald Dahl’s wonderful stories and characters continue to be enjoyed by all children today.
“When publishing new print runs of books written years ago, it’s not unusual to review the language used alongside updating other details including a book’s cover and page layout.
“Our guiding principle throughout has been to maintain the storylines, characters, and the irreverence and sharp-edged spirit of the original text.
“Any changes made have been small and carefully considered.”