This was a reread for me and everything's already been said
that needs to be said through many reviews. This is one of Stephen King's best
early books, one of my favorites. Sadly, this is hard to find and to read. It's
very controversial because of kids with guns and the idea of taking a gun to
school and killing and taking hostages.
Looking past that reality it's a great read. Very quick
read. This was written under Stephen King’s pseudonym "Richard
Bachman". This is an intense, eye opener. This is my third time reading it
and it never gets old. A brutal and brilliant emotional ordeal that can grab
you and shake the hell out of you.
I think this is one of Stephen King's greatest, most human
stories. It's an intermingling of yes violence, but the violence really isn't
the focus of the story. I also think it's one of the most focused books in
Stephen King’s long career. Your main character Charlie Decker is one you don't
forget or want to forget. A page turner that leaves you emotionally drained,
intensely intrigued and most of all satisfied.
I had terrible school years. Specifically, high school
teenage years. I was a victim of bullying. I was thrown downstairs. I was
mistreated. My shoulder was broken in three different spots by bullies. I
experienced the hell that I don't like to talk about and even like to bring up.
I had some of the greatest rage in the world toward them. I thankfully did not
act on what I thought of doing. So many kids out there that are picked on,
bullied. That are pushed to the brink, sadly do choose the wrong path. I think
this touches that reality and gives you the inner recesses of an individual
filled with rage and pushed toward a path of no turning back.
This was originally titled Getting it On but was changed to
Rage before publication. I can understand the backlash and the ridicule that
this book has, because some school shooters read it and so on and so forth and
so Stephen King basically stopped publication on it. I can understand that
viewpoint but when we start pushing books away, and not allowing books to be
published, to be read, then we are slowly becoming that Nazi like state of book
burning, and book banning. Books that are deliberately not published because of
content, is a form of banning books. Not allowing them to be published to the
masses, to be read, to experience them and to let persons figure out if they
like it or not, is wrong.
Rage is a psychological thriller that to me is very
brilliant, and its atmosphere is wonderfully written. It deserves to be read
and deserves to be published. I think if anything we can learn from the book.
Just what makes school shooters tick or what could drive people to that
insanity? I think Rage is more educational and more prominent and not just
another story of a kid killing a bunch people.
This is one of those books that to me should not be
overlooked. Sadly, it is and because of its content, it's very hard to get a
hold of. To me it's so much more than just the legacy of Stephen King. Those
who don't even like Stephen King well take to this book in my viewpoint. I feel
one will thoroughly be entertained by this book because it so well written with
actions throughout the human thinking process.
Some people ask me to describe this book. I always jokingly
say, its, The Catcher in the Rye on crack.
Would I Return To Again: Absolutely, this is my third time
and each time is as dynamic as it is the first time reading it?
Would I Recommend: Absolutely. I think it's one of King's
best that should be read, and experienced for its, human side. Its emotional
understanding and for the actions taking place in the book; it leaves you in an
intense state. I think he wrote one of his finest stories. His finest book on
the inner recesses of the human mind.
Year Published: 1977
Book Length: 131 pages
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Four Words: Brilliant. Intense. Emotionally dark.