Stephen King’s widely-read horror novel It has vanished from major Russian online retailers and bookstores, the latest sign of escalating censorship within the country. The removal of the book,first reported by Meduza,comes amid a broader crackdown on materials authorities deem objectionable,especially those addressing LGBTQ+ themes. This advancement follows the public surfacing of a 2022 list of over 250 banned books – including works by Dostoevsky and Wilde – and reflects a tightening grip on cultural expression as geopolitical tensions and internal political pressures mount.
Stephen King’s novel It has disappeared from several Russian online retailers and bookstore shelves, signaling a widening crackdown on content deemed objectionable by authorities. The move comes as Russia continues to tighten restrictions on information and expression.
Popular online stores Ozon and Wildberries no longer list the American author’s book for sale, according to reports. The disappearance of It follows years of speculation about a potential Russian blacklist of books considered undesirable by the government.
An employee at a bookstore in the Novosibirsk region told Meduza that they received instructions from management to remove the book from sale. Wildberries, in a statement to Russian state media, said it strictly adheres to legal requirements and does not sell products that violate the law, but did not specify why King’s work would be considered unlawful.
A list of over 250 books banned in Russia due to alleged “LGBTQ propaganda” became public in February 2024, including several works by Stephen King. The list, reportedly compiled in 2022, included It, as well as Doctor Sleep and Different Seasons, due to depictions of “non-traditional” sexuality.
Other authors affected by the ban include Oscar Wilde, with his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Fyodor Dostoevsky, whose Netochka Nezvanova was also included. The development highlights the increasingly restrictive cultural environment in Russia.
Russia has enacted a series of measures aimed at suppressing the rights of sexual minorities in recent years. In 2023, a law prohibiting “LGBTQ propaganda” was extended to all age groups, previously only applying to minors. Legislation equating homosexuality with pedophilia has also been passed. The crackdown has even extended to consumer products, with a Russian lawmaker campaigning to ban Barbie dolls, claiming they promote “LGBTQ lobby programs.”
Stephen King has publicly supported Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, donating funds alongside other prominent authors such as J.K. Rowling, Margaret Atwood, and Timothy Snyder.
