Stephen King, often hailed as the “King of Horror,” is famous for his chilling novels such as The Shining and IT. While most of his works have been adapted into movies, one lesser-known book has gained attention for a different reason—it was removed from circulation by King himself.
Published in 1977 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, Rage tells the story of a troubled high school student who brings a gun to school, kills a teacher, and holds his classmates hostage. The psychological thriller explores the dark thoughts of a teen shooter. Though fictional, the book has unsettling connections to real-life events.
Over time, Rage became infamous due to its association with several school shootings. For instance, in 1988, a student in California held his classmates hostage and later mentioned Rage. Other young shooters were also found to have copies of the book, further tainting its reputation.
In a 2013 essay titled Guns, Stephen King explained why he pulled Rage from publication, calling it “the responsible thing to do.” He wrote the book during a different time—before school shootings became tragically common. King realized that in today’s world, the book could be misinterpreted and possibly inspire violence.
Reflecting on the past, King noted, “I suppose if it had been written today, and some high school English teacher had seen it, he would have rushed the manuscript to the guidance counselor and I would have found myself in therapy.” He acknowledged that society has changed, and the book’s potential consequences made it necessary to let it fade from the public eye.
Tragic real-life incidents further solidified the book’s controversial status. In 1989, a high school student in Kentucky took his classmates hostage, and police found a copy of Rage in his locker. In 1996, a 14-year-old killed two students and a teacher, with the novel discovered on his nightstand. Another shooting in 1997 involved a teen who killed three classmates, again with Rage linked to his actions.
While no book can be directly blamed for violence, these incidents raised concerns about the novel’s influence. Stephen King took these concerns seriously and made the decision to withdraw the book completely.
Although pulled from print, Rage remained available for a short time as part of a collection called The Bachman Books. This limited availability has made the novel a rare collector’s item. In 2013, BookFinder.com ranked Rage second on its list of the 100 most sought-after out-of-print books, with prices for used copies reaching between $700 and $2,000.
In his 2007 novel Blaze, Stephen King added a footnote about Rage, saying it is “now out of print, and a good thing.” This remark illustrates King’s deep regret over the book’s unintended influence. While he does not believe in banning books, he felt morally obligated to ensure Rage was no longer available.
King’s decision reflects his understanding of the power of fiction and the responsibilities of authors in a world where stories can sometimes cross into reality.
Although Rage will likely never be reprinted, it remains a part of Stephen King’s legacy. His choice to remove it from shelves highlights the complex relationship between art and its impact on society. While King’s horror novels continue to captivate readers, Rage serves as a reminder of the real-world consequences that can stem from fiction.