Alice Walker, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Color Purple, has said a book by notorious antisemite David Icke is among those on her nightstand.

Mr Icke, a former BBC sports broadcaster turned conspiracy theorist, is known for his references to “Rothschild Zionists” controlling world events, and promotes the ideas of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

When asked what books are on her nightstand by the New York TImes, Ms Walker said she was reading four titles one of which was Mr Icke's And the Truth Shall Set You Free.

" In Icke’s books there is the whole of existence, on this planet and several others, to think about. A curious person’s dream come true," she said.

The paper reported this recommendation without commentary, meaning readers may have been unaware the book is full of antisemitic conspiracy theories.

According to The Tablet magazine, Mr Icke mentions the word “Jewish” in the book 241 times and “Rothschild” 374 times.

Many took to Twitter to express their shock that Ms Walker was praising the book.

Journalist and JC columnist Jonathan Freedland commented: “This is a bit depressing. Alice Walker is a reader of...David Icke.”

This is a bit depressing. Alice Walker is a reader of...David Icke https://t.co/YcQ0df9bGg

— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) 17 December 2018

Think it's an indication that she has gone down a rabbit hole of Green Party-influenced conspiracy theory, including vastly exaggerated and distorted ideas that US law enforcement is trained by Israel in techniques for repressive policing of African-American communities.

— Matt Seaton (@mattseaton) 17 December 2018

It's depressing, but it's a very good piece: and somewhat horrifying to learn that Walker is not just a recent disciple of Icke, but chose one of his books to take on Desert Island Discs. The mystery is why nobody, to date, has challenged her — about Icke AND BDS. https://t.co/GH3gHEGlOf

— Jenni Frazer (@Jennifrazer) 17 December 2018

And the Truth Shall Set You Free was considered to be so antisemitic that his publisher refused to publish it, and he was forced to print it himself.

Mr Icke's book describes the Talmud as “among the most appallingly racist documents on the planet.”

Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, said: “We’re deeply disappointed that The New York Times Book Review would print author Alice Walker’s unqualified endorsement of a book by notorious British anti-Semitic conspiracy theorist David Icke.

“His book And the Truth Shall Set you Free calls Judaism an ‘incredibly racist’ religion which preaches ‘racial superiority’ claims that a ‘Jewish clique’ fomented World War I and World War II as well as the Russian Revolution, and draws heavily on the Protocols of the Elders of Zion for inspiration. He even casts doubt on the Holocaust and condemns the Nuremberg Trials.

“He has a long history of scapegoating Jews and Times readers should be aware of this before considering his work.”

It is not the first time Ms Walker has praised the work of Mr Icke

In 2013, she described his book Human Race Get Off Your Knees as “amazing” and chose to be cast away with it on BBC Radio Four's Desert Island Discs.

She wrote of the book: “Reading it was the ultimate reading adventure. I felt it was the first time I was able to observe, and mostly imagine and comprehend, the root of the incredible evil that has engulfed our planet.”