Should "Rage" be back in print?

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Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
The result is the same. In fact, no one other than the author could prohibit the sell of a book. So it is even a broader ban than a government or some other entity "banning" the book. Whether its terrorists, hackers, or mentally ill people like the Columbine shooters taking issue or being influenced by a work, you can't simply allow those types to dictate who reads a book or sees a movie. I think King's intentions are good but misguided. It certainly is his legal right as the author not to have it in print. That's not the issue though.
It has driven the price up, I think.

A 1st edition, first printing hardcover of the Bachman Books goes for 200 bucks now!
The Bachman Books: Four Early Novels: Rage; The Long Walk; Roadwork; The Running Man ---with a New Introduction By Stephen King " Why I was Bachman " by King, Stephen Writing as Richard Bachman: N.Y.: NAL / New American Library (collects the SIGNET paperback editions), 1985, 1st Edition, 1st Printing 9780453005074 Hard Cover, First Edition - Leonard Shoup (Member of IOBA)

If the link does not come up (possibly too long?) just go to abebooks and look it up.
 

Kurben

The Fool on the Hill
Apr 12, 2014
9,682
65,192
59
sweden
For me, i'm just glad that i have Rage in my editoion of Bachman Books. It is Good. But i can certainly understand his reasons for withdrawing it and i respect his decision. I don't think i would have made the same decision but that is another point. It is his decision to make. I once wrote an article where i mentioned it as a good book about youth of a certain type and recommended it. I still would recommend it.
 

muskrat

Dis-Member
Nov 8, 2010
4,518
19,564
Under your bed
Gotta respect ol Boy's decision to pull it from circulation, which I believe was for his own personal piece of mind, not fear of legal action. My God, in this day and age, the idea of suing somebody over a damn book is ridiculous. It'd never hold up in court--SHOULDN'T hold up. Don't wanna live in a country where such a thing could happen.

Reminds me of something I heard Frank Miller say once, when asked about Timothy McVeigh's love of violent comics. "Of course he reads violent comics," Frank said. "What the hell do you expect psychopaths to read?"
 

staropeace

Richard Bachman's love child
Nov 28, 2006
15,210
48,848
Alberta,Canada
I would rather it staying out of circulation because it just was not that good. It was written by his young self. When he wrote this, youth still had some respect for adults and things were not this way. He may have seen a bit of it when he was a teacher but nothing like the behavior of youths during this time. I would not think of writing something like this...if I were him....it would only encourage them further.
 

Pucker

We all have it coming, kid
May 9, 2010
2,906
6,242
62
It's certainly his story to do with as he wishes, but there's a funny thing that happens to a certain kind of person when you make the thing he wants hard to get.
 

dallywhitty

Member
Sep 15, 2013
11
30
30
Shropshire, England
Rage is one of my favourites so naturally, I do think it should be back in print. If certain individuals were influenced, that says a great deal more about them than it does the book itself. King shouldn't feel in any way responsible and I think it's a real shame that he felt the need to withdraw it from sale. I get that you can still find the book if you search for a second-hand copy, but it's more a matter of principle than anything else.
 

Aloysius Nell

Well-Known Member
Apr 1, 2014
309
1,009
51
My second favorite of the Bachman books. The Long Walk is far superior to the others, but I like Rage a lot. And I've noticed it's still very easy to find the 4-book set in used bookstores, for cheap.

I respect SK's right to not sell it; I'm just glad I've got it! Same with the "real" Gunslinger.
 

Kurben

The Fool on the Hill
Apr 12, 2014
9,682
65,192
59
sweden
I really like Rage. I even wrote an article about books about youth where i recommended it. I remember i called it something like 'not a nice story but a real good story about youth'. So i of course think it should be in print but have full understanding for Kings reasons to withdraw it.
 

César Hernández-Meraz

Wants to be Nick, ends up as Larry
May 19, 2015
605
4,416
44
Aguascalientes, Mexico
This would be a really tough decision for me if I were in Mr. King's position.

I like evil fictional characters. Not only the ones who may not be completely evil but have their reasons to do evil things, but also the ones that are evil just for the sake of being evil.

But I see how someone who is already unbalanced may see such a character as inspiration to do what he would otherwise just keep to his imagination. That is the part where I would think it may be better to not risk even a single death due to such an inspiration. I know it would never be the fault of the book, but still would give serious thought about stopping the story I wrote, perhaps even reaching the same conclusion Mr. King did.

All that said, and as someone who would hardly ever think about ending anyone's life, I would really like to have the Bachman book that contains Rage. From what I have heard, it is an interesting look into this type of person.
 

fljoe0

Cantre Member
Apr 5, 2008
15,859
71,642
62
120 miles S of the Pancake/Waffle line
This would be a really tough decision for me if I were in Mr. King's position.

I like evil fictional characters. Not only the ones who may not be completely evil but have their reasons to do evil things, but also the ones that are evil just for the sake of being evil.

But I see how someone who is already unbalanced may see such a character as inspiration to do what he would otherwise just keep to his imagination. That is the part where I would think it may be better to not risk even a single death due to such an inspiration. I know it would never be the fault of the book, but still would give serious thought about stopping the story I wrote, perhaps even reaching the same conclusion Mr. King did.

All that said, and as someone who would hardly ever think about ending anyone's life, I would really like to have the Bachman book that contains Rage. From what I have heard, it is an interesting look into this type of person.


Haven't seen you around here for a while. Good to hear from you.
 

DiO'Bolic

Not completely obtuse
Nov 14, 2013
22,864
129,998
Poconos, PA
Of course it should be back in print. Just put some restrictions on owning one…

  • Pay an application fee, and then wait up to 45 days for approval through your state police.
  • Pay for a registry certificate from your state police in order to possess, transfer, sell, or give away your copy.
  • Undergo a background check, be fingerprinted, and give other personal information such as home and businesses addresses, social media accounts and passwords, and your social security number.
  • Report to the police within 24 hours if your copy is lost or stolen. Failure to do so would result in a fine of not more than $10,000 an/or one year in jail.

Yeah, it may cost $750 in the end for a $25 book, but I see they’re going for around $850 on the Internet, so it would be a bargain.
 

César Hernández-Meraz

Wants to be Nick, ends up as Larry
May 19, 2015
605
4,416
44
Aguascalientes, Mexico
Of course it should be back in print. Just put some restrictions on owning one…

  • Pay an application fee, and then wait up to 45 days for approval through your state police.
  • Pay for a registry certificate from your state police in order to possess, transfer, sell, or give away your copy.
  • Undergo a background check, be fingerprinted, and give other personal information such as home and businesses addresses, social media accounts and passwords, and your social security number.
  • Report to the police within 24 hours if your copy is lost or stolen. Failure to do so would result in a fine of not more than $10,000 an/or one year in jail.

Yeah, it may cost $750 in the end for a $25 book, but I see they’re going for around $850 on the Internet, so it would be a bargain.

Can't tell if serious or not. :p