Love Me Sailor Explained

Love Me Sailor
Author:	Robert Close
Country:	Australia
Language:	English
Publisher:	Melbourne: Georgian House^[1]
Release Date:	1945
Isbn:	9780856170096

Love Me Sailor is a 1945 novel from Australian author Robert Close.^{[2] [3]}

Plot

A woman travels on a ship from Chile to the US.^[4]

Background

Close finished writing the book in 1943.^[5]

Adaptations

The book was to have been adapted into a radio play in 1946 but the production was cancelled at the last minute.^[6]

Obscenity Trial

In 1946 Close and "Georgian House Pty Ltd", the publisher of the novel were prosecuted in the Supreme Court of Victoria for "obscene libel".^{[7] [8] [9]}

During the first trial, the entire 90,000-word book was read to the jury by counsel for the prosecution twice: the first jury was discharged when the court was notified that the foreman of the jury had discussed the case with one of Close's friends.^[10] Close was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and a fine of £100.^[11] This was later overturned on appeal; he served 10 days in prison and was fined £150.^[11]

Notes and References

1. Book: Love me sailor (Book, 1945) . . 7032159 . 9 December 2016.
2. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-robert-close-1596451.html Obituary of Robert Close
3. News: A Siren Goes to Sea . . 31,064 . Victoria, Australia . 23 March 1946 . 17 May 2016 . 10 (The Argus Week-end Magazine) . National Library of Australia.
4. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-16/australias-hidden-library-collections-restricted-giftschrank/7415768 Dangerous books behind lock and key: Exploring Australia's hidden library collections
5. News: Books in Review . . 30,725 . Victoria, Australia . 17 February 1945 . 18 May 2016 . 10 (The Argus Week-end Magazine) . National Library of Australia.
6. News: "THE JITTERS" AT RADIO STATIONS . . New South Wales, Australia . 15 July 1946 . 18 May 2016 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
7. R v Close . [1948] VLR 445 . 29 June 1948 . Supreme Court (Full Court) (Vic). .
8. Web site: Banned Books: Robert Close. University of Melbourne Library. 21 July 2010.
9. News: "LOVE ME. SAILOR" CALLED INDECENT, FILTH . . 2947 . New South Wales, Australia . 14 July 1946 . 18 May 2016 . 24 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: Author, Publisher Guilty of Libel. Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. 26 February 2011.
11. News: Robert Close Finds Fun in Puncturing the Pompous and Prudish. The Age. 26 February 2011.