Stephen King’s controversial novel Rage, originally published under his pseudonym Richard Bachman in 1977, has been pulled from publication by the author himself and will never be printed again. The psychological thriller, which centers around a troubled high school student who brings a gun to school and takes his class hostage, became tied to several tragic real-life events, despite being written long before these incidents.
In the years following its release, Rage was linked to multiple school shootings, as the perpetrators were reportedly found with copies of the novel. Notably, a 1988 incident involved a student who cited the book after holding his class hostage. Similar references were made by perpetrators in later shootings, including a 1996 tragedy where a 14-year-old killed two students and a teacher. These associations led King to reflect on the novel’s impact.
Stephen King’s novel is one of the most sought-after books ever. Credit: Alamy
In a 2013 essay titled Guns, King expressed regret over the book’s content and acknowledged that the world had changed significantly since its publication. He said that had the book been written today, it would likely never have been released, as it could have led to significant controversy.
Stephen King’s controversial book has been inextricably tied to several disturbing events. Credit: Alamy
King later explained in interviews that he felt pulling Rage from circulation was the responsible thing to do, especially given its troubling association with real-life violence. Though Rage is no longer in print, it remains a sought-after collector’s item, with prices for used copies reaching up to $2,000. King himself has referred to the decision to let the book go out of print as a “good thing,” reflecting on how the novel’s themes had become too unsettling in light of the events it had been tied to.
Stephen King’s novel ‘Rage’ has gone out of print. Credit: Signet Books
