Cooper said he was not in on the initial decision, but after re-evaluating the amount of exposure given to the book in promotions and other community programs, decided to go with a novel that was "a little fresher."

Cooper acknowledged that one male librarian did ask him about the language he'd heard on an audio version of the book, but that wasn't why he bounced it.

"It is not a censorship issue," he said.

But Spragg says — and sources close to the details privately confirm — there was scrutiny from library system officials about rough scenes in the book involving a character named Roy, who is a violent person, a batterer and uses obscene language.

One bookseller with contacts in the publishing business said a New York literary agent told her Salt Lake City is the "laughing stock" of the publishing world.

Spragg himself called the situation "utterly regrettable."

"There is a moment of personal disappointment for me, but that's not what this is about," he said.

He's always considered the American Library Association a "brave, ethically sound institution in this country." The Association challenged a section of the U.S. Patriot Act that would have compromised readers' rights of privacy. When a community in the southern United States wanted to ban all books by gay and lesbian authors, the Association came to the defense of readers and authors.

"But when a library all of the sudden acts as a vetting process, that is not acceptable," he said.

In the past month, word has spread through the bookselling community and library system. Three librarians at various county branches contacted by the Deseret Morning News knew of the issue and found the library system's actions "in bad taste," as one person said. All refused to be identified, fearing repercussions.

"This is such a black mark on our city," said Betsy Burton, owner of The King's English bookstore in Salt Lake City.

Spragg believes the decision about the book was reversed because someone complained about his Roy character's actions and language.

"They made assumptions about the audience," Spragg said. "I don't think the Mormon population would find this book off-putting at all."

Beyond that, he said, "You don't ask someone to dance, then say 'You're too unsightly,' when they stand up from the table."

One person who learned about the fiasco around Spragg's invitation called it embarrassing and "uncivil."

"It is unfortunate," Cooper said of inviting, then uninviting, Spragg. He said he is sorry for the upset, but Cooper hasn't called the author to apologize himself. He said he hasn't heard from Spragg.

"The Life of Pi," will now be the One County, One Book selection, Cooper said.

Spragg is also the author of "Where Rivers Change Direction," a memoir and winner of the Mountains & Plains Booksellers Award, and "The Fruit of Stone," a novel. Both were top-ten Book Sense selections according to book-selling Web sites.

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E-mail: lucy@desnews.com