Stephen King, the undisputed “King of Horror”, has mesmerized readers for decades with his terrifying books, including IT and The Shining.
King’s lesser-known novels became famous for entirely different reasons, even though these books were immortalized on screen. It is now one of the sought-after books in the literary world. It was removed from publication by King himself, not because it is popular.
A controversial book with a dark history
This is King’s 1977 book Rage, written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. A disturbed high school student who brings a gun to class murders a teacher, and kidnaps his peers is the subject of Rage. The psychological thriller offers a disturbing look into the thoughts of a young gunman. Fiction is a story with disturbing links to real events.
Rage’s association with several terrifying school shootings only adds to its notoriety. Although the novel was written long before these events, it was associated with some violent crimes. King’s book was cited after a student in San Gabriel, California kidnapped his classmates in 1988. Rage’s bad reputation was cemented over the years when copies of the book were allegedly found to be in the possession of other juvenile offenders involved in school shootings.
Read more: Mark Zuckerberg described Facebook’s Al Chat bot as ‘creepy and manipulative’.
Stephen King’s decision to remove Rage from publication
Stephen King discussed the reasons for removing Rage from publication in an essay titled Guns written in 2013. He called it “the responsible thing to do”. The book was written in what King calls “another world,” long before school shootings became a tragically recurring occurrence. He understood that the book could be misunderstood and potentially incite violence in today’s environment.
Had it been written today, King elaborated, “I think if a high school English teacher had seen it, he would have sent the manuscript straight to a counselor and I would have ended up in post-haste therapy.” In 1965, however, everything was different.
One where there were no metal detectors at the high school gates and you didn’t have to take off your shoes before getting on the plane.”
A moment of transition
King’s recognition that the effects of certain literary concepts have evolved with society is summed up in this phrase. The author made the difficult but crucial decision to let Rage go out of print because he was deeply concerned about its unexpected impact.
Disturbing true events related to anger
The plot of Rage unbelievably mirrored a number of real school shootings. Authorities discovered a copy of Rage in the locker of a Kentucky high school student who held his classmates hostage for nine hours in 1989. King’s book was reportedly discovered on the nightstand of the 14-year-old who murdered two children and a teacher in 1996.
The most horrific event was probably in 1997 when three classmates were killed by a 14-year-old who shot many others.
The public became concerned about the impact of Rage after investigators found a copy of the book in his possession.
See also: ‘Friends’ creator offers $4 million to fix absence of black clues in the series
.Tragic events prompt criticism
These tragedies strengthened criticism of Rage and cemented its controversial status, although it is difficult to definitively link any book to acts of violence. King responded by acknowledging the seriousness of the problem and taking the initiative to make sure the book was no longer accessible.
An unusual and desirable collector’s item
Rage was removed from publication, but was available for a short time as part of The Bachman Books. King published a series of short novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Since the book was not fully completed until later, the copies that remained were highly prized by collectors.
Rage was ranked second on BookFinder.com’s list of the 100 best-selling books of 2013, behind Madonna’s controversial photo book S*x. The Rage saw a sharp increase in price, with used copies going from $700 to over $2,000. Due to its rarity, despite its troubled past, the work is a sought-after part of King’s creative legacy.
An end to rage and royal remorse
A footnote to Rage in Stephen King’s 2007 book Blaze highlighted his choice: “Now out of print, and a good thing.” This short but powerful response shows how deeply he regrets the novel’s unintended impact. Although King has stated time and time again that he opposes book bans, in this case, he felt compelled to withdraw Rage from print.
This choice demonstrates a sophisticated awareness of the power of fiction and the responsibility that comes with being a writer in an ever-changing world. King’s decision to remove Rage from sale was motivated by more than preserving his image. The goal was to stop all similar tragedies associated with his work.
Legacy of the King and the lasting effects of Wrath
Stephen King’s decision to withdraw *Rage* from publication underscores his deep sense of responsibility as an author. While the novel, written in a different era, offered a psychological exploration of youth violence, its later association with real-life school shootings made it a source of controversy. King’s recognition that the book could be misinterpreted in a modern context, where school violence has tragically become more common, led to his choice to ensure that it was no longer available to the public. His decision, though painful, was rooted in a desire to prevent further harm, and an understanding of the power that fiction can have in shaping perception and action.
In the years since *Rage* was taken off the shelves, the book has become a sought-after collector’s item and its notoriety fuels demand among fans and collectors alike. The high prices for copies of the novel reflect both its rarity and its controversial history. Still, for King, the decision to withdraw *Rage* was necessary, driven by a desire to protect the public and avoid further unintended consequences of his work. *Rage* ultimately serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between art and its impact on the real world, and King’s rants show the weight writers carry in an ever-evolving social environment.