Part I: Background Story, and the Search
I went on a small Bachman kick earlier this year. I audio-read The Long Walk, and The Running Man, respectively. Leaving Rage, and, Roadwork as the only two (early) Bachman Books I have not read. I wanted to read them, but I was unable to find Rage at my library or on Audible. I eventually gave up and subsequently forgot about it until someone—from the U.K., I believe—in a Stephen King fan group I’m in posted about Rage not being in print anymore and almost impossible to get. Prior to my reading the individuals’ post on Rage, I honestly had no idea that King decided to pull Rage from print. I wasn’t sure if this was the case just in the U.K. or here in the states too. I went on a search for it on Amazon, y nada. eBay, had some but in poor quality and high-priced—$50-$200. The better quality ones were even more ridiculously high-priced—$300-$1000. Then I remembered my wife had sent me a link once to a website called, Abe Books.
As stated on their website:
“AbeBooks is an online marketplace for books. Millions of brand new books, used books, rare books, and out-of-print books are offered for sale through the AbeBooks websites from thousands of booksellers around the world. Readers can find bestsellers, collectors can find rare books, students can find new and used textbooks, and treasure hunters can find long-lost books.” (I will post link in comments) So, I gave them a go. And lo’ and behold, I found multiple options for The Bachman Books. I had to wade through the options to ensure I got the best condition at the best price. Quite a few were “library editions”, which I don’t like. Others had “markings” “highlights” inside the book. Again, no me gusta. I found one with the description, “great condition. May be a library edition”. I was like, you don’t know? So I messaged the seller. Response came within 24hrs. It was a library edition. Dang it.
Then I found one that said some wear on spine and front cover, no markings inside book, no mention of being a former library book. AND the price was reasonable (with free shipping. WOOT!)—$36 w/tax. I ordered it 7.19 and got it today. As you can see the exterior is not perfect, but for a used OOP book, it could be worse. The spine is in good condition. Some wear but not horrible. The inside is perfect. Not a single mar or page bent or torn. Overall I’m quite happy with it.
Part II: The Why
So, having received my wonderful new breasure, (book-treasure), I realized I never found out the full story as to why King decided to pull Rage from circulation. I knew it was b/c of school shootings, but I didn’t know the full story. And even more shocking, I realized I didn’t even know what Rage was about. I know, WTAF, right?!
Rage synopsis: A disturbed high-school student with authority problems kills one of his teachers and takes the rest of his class hostage.
Since it’s publication (1977), it was a controversial story. But the controversy took a dramatic, and tragic, turn in the 80’s. In ‘88 a student in CA took his humanities class hostage, citing he got the idea from Rage. There would be 3 more school events—shootings and hostages—where in all cases the culprit owned a copy of Rage. It was the last event in 1997 that made King decide to pull the book from circulation.
In ‘97 a “Kentucky 14-year-old fired on a prayer group at his school, killing three, while a copy of "Rage" was in his locker.”
King did not believe his novel alone caused the school shootings, but he regarded Rage as a “possible accelerant” affecting troubled people w/psychological problems.
Quote from King: “I pulled it because in my judgment it might be hurting people, and that made it the responsible thing to do,” King wrote.
I will post a link to the story in the comments.
I wanted this book b/c I am a huge SK fan. I didn’t seek it b/c I wanted something controversial, or for some morbid satisfaction. It was more b/c as an avid fan the thought of not owning, or reading, something by King was, in all honesty, depressing.
I love that this book has made its way home to my collection. It was Ka.
I look forward to reading ‘Rage’, and ‘Roadwork’.
AbeBooks:
SK on Rage:
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