Rage Formats: Paperback First Edition Release Date: 1977
Synopsis:
A disturbed high-school student with authority problems kills one of his teachers and takes the rest of his class hostage. Over the course of one long, tense and unbearable hot afternoon, Charlie Decker explains what led him to this drastic sequence of events, while at the same time deconstructing the personalities of his classmates, forcing each one to justify his or her existence.
Notes:
No future printings will be made of this novel at Stephen's request due to the sensitive nature of the content.
More Covers & Posters:
Hardcover
Community Thoughts:
Posted By: John B. - 01/08/2010 - 3:45 PM EST
I, too, read "Rage" while in junior high school and could relate to the main character. Anger and frustration go hand-in-hand for most jr. and sr. high school students who feel alienated and/or alone. The story was cathartic for me. At no point, however, did I consider taking one of my father's guns to school and going postal on the kids or teachers I didn't like (or who didn't like me). So I too, Mr. King, am sorry to hear you no longer allow this story to be published. I think that most boys who read -- and who would read -- "Rage" were comforted knowing they were not alone in feeling left out and angry. It was about this time if memory serves that parents were blaming song lyrics by heavy metal bands such as Judas Priest and Motley Crue for suicides committed by some young people. I owned albums by these groups but again, found them cathartic and not instructional guides on how to end my life. I hope that perhaps some day you will allow "Rage" to be published again.
Posted By: Chilly73 - 12/13/2009 - 10:40 PM EST
Mr King, I read The Bachman Books in high school, along with many other of your fantastic works. I only have to say this. Banning this collection is similar to suppression of freedom of choice. Just because a few people have problems doesn't mean there are those of us who should suffer for it. I call for a complete reprint of Richard Bachman's works!!
Posted By: Atticus Black - 12/06/2009 - 12:27 AM EST
The search for this book has sent me to many used bookstores. Please put it back in print. Personaly i'm thinking that we have much worse things going on today and some of the kids who went on rampages probably used the book as something unrelated to blame.
Posted By: Karen99 - 10/26/2009 - 9:17 PM EST
I read rage when it first came out. At the time I was about 15 years old (similar) to the main character. Even then, I thought that the story really described very well what was going on in the boys head. Seems to me that the story tells the reader what not to do more than what to do. I do agree that times have changed, and if the story got into the wrong hands, it could be a disaster.It really is a shame since it is a great story and so well written. I felt almost like I was sitting in that classroom feeling all the things the other students must have felt- very scary, but great!
Posted By: Shunt1974 - 08/24/2009 - 10:14 PM EST
the thing i got from this story is this. That we all have secrects and demons some times we have to sit down and allow them to show, if you dont in the case of ted jones who refused to let the demon out it cost him is sanity,
