Stephen King’s novel “Rage,” written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman and published in 1977, has been permanently pulled from publication and will no longer be printed. The book, which tells the story of a troubled high school student who kills a teacher and takes his classmates hostage, has been linked to several real-life school shootings, where copies were found in the possession of the perpetrators. King, reflecting on the impact of the book, decided to let it go out of print, believing it was “the responsible thing to do.”
In his 2013 essay “Guns,” King discussed how the book was written in a different era, one where such themes were not as critically examined. He noted that if the book had been written today, it might have raised red flags much earlier. Despite its controversial nature, “Rage” remains a sought-after item for collectors, with used copies selling for between $700 and $2,000 online.
The decision to pull “Rage” was driven by King’s concern for the potential influence the book could have, especially in light of the tragic events it has been associated with. He acknowledged that while the novel may have been a product of its time, its content is no longer appropriate in today’s context. King has consistently expressed that he does not regret writing the book but believes that its removal from circulation is necessary.
“Rage” has since become a significant, albeit dark, part of King’s literary legacy. While it remains a notable work in his early career, its history and the decision to stop its publication highlight the evolving understanding of how media can impact society.
