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Rage
In some ways Ben is like a lot of the other guys in his college. He's kind of quiet, he likes movies and books and spends most of his time by himself or in the library. He's a little awkward around girls, but he keeps trying and hoping that someday soon he'll find the love of his life. No luck so far, though.
But in one very important way Ben isn't like the other guys at all. You can't tell by looking at him, but there's something simmering deep inside of Ben. Lately he's been thinking a lot about some pretty awful things... and he's bought a gun. His loneliness has become bitterness, and his resentment has turned to hatred. It's all boiling up inside him and it's only a matter of time before he explodes. Then it's just a question of who will be the first to die.
But in one very important way Ben isn't like the other guys at all. You can't tell by looking at him, but there's something simmering deep inside of Ben. Lately he's been thinking a lot about some pretty awful things... and he's bought a gun. His loneliness has become bitterness, and his resentment has turned to hatred. It's all boiling up inside him and it's only a matter of time before he explodes. Then it's just a question of who will be the first to die.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published January 1, 2004
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94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 29, 2021
This book should have came with a warning label, like 'contents are very disturbing'. Rage is the story of Ben, a college student who is either manic depressive, psycho, or maybe just depressive. Estranged from his family, Ben is studying art and has his own apartment. Ben is very lonely. Ben is a virgin at age 22. Ben is very angry with the world. Ben buys some guns...
You know where this story is going pretty much right from the get go, but Gerlach does a masterful job putting you inside the head of Ben, and it is not a nice place to be. In some ways, the reader can feel some sympathy for him, but his endless rationalizations of his personal failures, blaming them on his parents, and then on women in particular, puts him pretty firmly in psycho territory. Yes, you can see through his eyes, but it is not something you want to really see.
While this starts with Ben's tenure as an art student, the past comes through in a series of flashbacks of Ben's childhood, such as his first day at school, his first time playing doctor and nurse, his sexual experiences with his best friend at his all boys high school, etc. Hence, you can see Ben's upbringing and how he rationalized his problems as not his fault. Gerlach proves once again that the scariest creatures you find in the horror genre are humans...
So, like the back cover says, "It's all boiling up inside him and it's only a matter of time before he explodes." What makes this so scary is that Ben seems to be a pretty typical guy, but also just like the teens and other young men who go on rampages. Gerlach is from Oz, but the character of Ben really fits with the spate of mass killings in the USA. The taut prose just builds the tension up until the end. This one is really hard to put down and I read it in basically one sitting. Highly recommended for extreme horror fans, but if you are not into such things, stay far, far away. 4.5 raging stars.
You know where this story is going pretty much right from the get go, but Gerlach does a masterful job putting you inside the head of Ben, and it is not a nice place to be. In some ways, the reader can feel some sympathy for him, but his endless rationalizations of his personal failures, blaming them on his parents, and then on women in particular, puts him pretty firmly in psycho territory. Yes, you can see through his eyes, but it is not something you want to really see.
While this starts with Ben's tenure as an art student, the past comes through in a series of flashbacks of Ben's childhood, such as his first day at school, his first time playing doctor and nurse, his sexual experiences with his best friend at his all boys high school, etc. Hence, you can see Ben's upbringing and how he rationalized his problems as not his fault. Gerlach proves once again that the scariest creatures you find in the horror genre are humans...
So, like the back cover says, "It's all boiling up inside him and it's only a matter of time before he explodes." What makes this so scary is that Ben seems to be a pretty typical guy, but also just like the teens and other young men who go on rampages. Gerlach is from Oz, but the character of Ben really fits with the spate of mass killings in the USA. The taut prose just builds the tension up until the end. This one is really hard to put down and I read it in basically one sitting. Highly recommended for extreme horror fans, but if you are not into such things, stay far, far away. 4.5 raging stars.
Want to read
July 20, 2017This signed hardcover is copy 141 of 300.
June 28, 2011
If this book were food, I'd eat it it's so good. But seriously, the tension constantly builds throughout this book. Near the end, I was actually nervous and a little queasy inside. It has great characterization and a terrific ending. I've read very few books where the author really delves into the mind of what some men are thinking about how life and women treat them. The writing in this book is quite simple, but the message and issues could not be more deep. It has subject matter that has no easy answers or solutions. Very graphic and very entertaining. I read this in 2 days. Very high recommendation.
January 27, 2023
Starting off strong with the fact that I thought this book was written by Stephen King, I had very high expectations. Gerlach is incredibly skilled at placing you into the mind of a deranged 22 year old incel while still keeping you far enough away to see the circumstances around him distorting his world view.
Doing anal with your best friend at 14 isn’t a good reason to shoot up a mall, but you kind of get it from Ben’s perspective. The writing is amazing and if this guy wrote smut he’d be a billionaire. Never thought I’d be able to read about someone fucking a deer or a cat without throwing up, but he finds a way to make it necessary to finish the page. Immaculate talent in his descriptions and psychological profiling.
Only wish is that there was more explanation as to why all the women in his life turn away from him moments or days after agreeing to see him out romantically. This is touched on by Christine when she says she had heard things about him but we never find out who said these things or what was said.
Also! The descriptions of the 7 and 8 year old girl’s vaginas was really not needed. Felt more vulgar than him fucking the pet cat or even cumming into that girl’s chest. Makes sense that it was on Ben’s mind but still.
Doing anal with your best friend at 14 isn’t a good reason to shoot up a mall, but you kind of get it from Ben’s perspective. The writing is amazing and if this guy wrote smut he’d be a billionaire. Never thought I’d be able to read about someone fucking a deer or a cat without throwing up, but he finds a way to make it necessary to finish the page. Immaculate talent in his descriptions and psychological profiling.
Only wish is that there was more explanation as to why all the women in his life turn away from him moments or days after agreeing to see him out romantically. This is touched on by Christine when she says she had heard things about him but we never find out who said these things or what was said.
Also! The descriptions of the 7 and 8 year old girl’s vaginas was really not needed. Felt more vulgar than him fucking the pet cat or even cumming into that girl’s chest. Makes sense that it was on Ben’s mind but still.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2010
Well, this was a pretty unpleasant read! There is nothing like reading about some guy who gets off on snuff films to pass the time. I actually had to put the book down a few times, as it was just a bit too disturbing.
Ben Jackson is attending college simply for lack of anything better to do with his life. Having demonstrated early in his childhood that he is troubled, Ben has grown up to be that guy you used to see on campus. You barely remember him and don’t know anybody who hung out with him. If you did try to make conversation, he probably blew you off, leaving you wondering why you bothered. Not anyone’s idea of a BMOC.
Like many loners, Ben blames his problems on everyone from his parents, to his teachers to any female who gave him the brush off. Naturally, as his own self-pity and bitterness increases, so does his hatred of those he blames for his problems. It’s also only natural, at least in this type of book that things are finally going to come to a violent conclusion.
Gerlach demonstrates early on that Ben is not your regular loser; this is a guy with some very serious anti-social issues. After the usual childish games of ‘playing doctor’ with school mates, Ben’s only actual sexual encounter is with a fellow male student at the boarding school to which he is sent. Now in his early twenties, Ben’s sexual frustration is beginning to show itself in some unhealthy ways. When he does finally meet Christine, the “love of his life”, you know that it is going to end badly. Ben has already made plans for his ultimate revenge and his relationship with Christine only temporarily keeps things from boiling over.
Gerlach spends so much time showing us how creepy and anti-social Ben is and how he became that way, that there is little room for any of the other characters in the novel to be any more than ciphers. Sadly, so much of the book seems like padding until the final chapters when Ben finally snaps. Perhaps with more to work with Gerlach might have produced an entertaining read. In this novel, he simply tosses in the clichés we’ve seen in numerous films and televisions shows, so there are few if any surprises.
Ben Jackson is attending college simply for lack of anything better to do with his life. Having demonstrated early in his childhood that he is troubled, Ben has grown up to be that guy you used to see on campus. You barely remember him and don’t know anybody who hung out with him. If you did try to make conversation, he probably blew you off, leaving you wondering why you bothered. Not anyone’s idea of a BMOC.
Like many loners, Ben blames his problems on everyone from his parents, to his teachers to any female who gave him the brush off. Naturally, as his own self-pity and bitterness increases, so does his hatred of those he blames for his problems. It’s also only natural, at least in this type of book that things are finally going to come to a violent conclusion.
Gerlach demonstrates early on that Ben is not your regular loser; this is a guy with some very serious anti-social issues. After the usual childish games of ‘playing doctor’ with school mates, Ben’s only actual sexual encounter is with a fellow male student at the boarding school to which he is sent. Now in his early twenties, Ben’s sexual frustration is beginning to show itself in some unhealthy ways. When he does finally meet Christine, the “love of his life”, you know that it is going to end badly. Ben has already made plans for his ultimate revenge and his relationship with Christine only temporarily keeps things from boiling over.
Gerlach spends so much time showing us how creepy and anti-social Ben is and how he became that way, that there is little room for any of the other characters in the novel to be any more than ciphers. Sadly, so much of the book seems like padding until the final chapters when Ben finally snaps. Perhaps with more to work with Gerlach might have produced an entertaining read. In this novel, he simply tosses in the clichés we’ve seen in numerous films and televisions shows, so there are few if any surprises.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2025
I boight this book in paperback the year it came out. My copy is so worn. As a guy, I am aware there is dialog demeaning to woman, but in the main characters brain. This book is extraordinary. There is so much to it. Ever 5 or so years I pull it out and read it. I am reading now in 2025. This will be my 4th time reading it. I identify so clearly with the main character. I was 40 something when I first read it. I was distracted for days after reading it. I am 60 now and still so in love with this book. I have had 5 movies since the book was published and everytime, when I'm packing I see the cover and always pack it. Every time.
June 12, 2017
Very slow in the beginning, with very unlikeable protagonist, but it becomes compelling later on and has a powerful ending.
July 30, 2023
Disgusting in a bad way
May 19, 2024
Disturbing.
March 20, 2015
This review will contain spoilers!!!!Okay...So I just finished this one and for a few reasons I'll mention briefly this one disturbed me...and I usually like to be disturbed, but in this case I was creeped out. Rage is a well written book that looks into the mind of a deepl troubled young man named Ben. Ben is not a ladies man, in fact he is a 22 year old virgin who rather than charming women, creeps them out. Ben blames the women that hurt him rather than seeking help. In the end he gets a gun and starts plotting revenge. Okay so don't read ahead if you don't want a spoiler.
Okay so the reason this book bothered me so much is because Ben ends up shooting up a mall. In the city that I live in a few years ago around Christmas a young man probably much like Ben went on a shooting spree while shoppers were buying presents for loved ones. I wasn't there, but it was all over the news. I also lived close to the city where Kip Kinkel did his school shooting. The idea of a psycho going into a place and shooting people in our world is a scary reality that could happen. Rewinding a week ago, I was in the same mall with a couple of friends. They were shopping and I was just tagging along. The power went out completely. It was a nice day when we entered the mall, so we just were thinking the mall lost its power. We didn't think anything until the power came back on and then the employees said they had to evacuate the mall. We went out of the store and a few people were rushing, looking panicked. Luckily nothing happened, but there was this strange atmosphere, very chilling, especially for one of my friends...she was pretty weirded out.We made it out of the mall and fortunately there was no maniac...just really crappy weather which I expected to be the cause. But it was the atmosphere of the mall, and the fact that there are people like Ben that made this a scary book. I have read Stephen King, Richard Laymon, dean Koontz, and Joe Hill and none of those guys scared me. Steve Gerlach is going to make me creeped out for awhile anytime I decide to go to a mall. thanks dick. I would have given this 4 and half stars. It was a good book, but there were a couple parts that made me cringe a bit too much. I'd still recommend it to those that can handle it and haven't been involved in a public shooting.
Okay so the reason this book bothered me so much is because Ben ends up shooting up a mall. In the city that I live in a few years ago around Christmas a young man probably much like Ben went on a shooting spree while shoppers were buying presents for loved ones. I wasn't there, but it was all over the news. I also lived close to the city where Kip Kinkel did his school shooting. The idea of a psycho going into a place and shooting people in our world is a scary reality that could happen. Rewinding a week ago, I was in the same mall with a couple of friends. They were shopping and I was just tagging along. The power went out completely. It was a nice day when we entered the mall, so we just were thinking the mall lost its power. We didn't think anything until the power came back on and then the employees said they had to evacuate the mall. We went out of the store and a few people were rushing, looking panicked. Luckily nothing happened, but there was this strange atmosphere, very chilling, especially for one of my friends...she was pretty weirded out.We made it out of the mall and fortunately there was no maniac...just really crappy weather which I expected to be the cause. But it was the atmosphere of the mall, and the fact that there are people like Ben that made this a scary book. I have read Stephen King, Richard Laymon, dean Koontz, and Joe Hill and none of those guys scared me. Steve Gerlach is going to make me creeped out for awhile anytime I decide to go to a mall. thanks dick. I would have given this 4 and half stars. It was a good book, but there were a couple parts that made me cringe a bit too much. I'd still recommend it to those that can handle it and haven't been involved in a public shooting.
Currently reading
May 12, 2016Reading currently on hold. Being more than 1/3 in the book I will probably finish it, it is not as bad as "Love lies dying". But not page-turner, either. The main plot-idea is interesting but the anti-hero is not too realistically described.
(Still / currently pause, as of May 12th, 2016, possible DNF!)
(Still / currently pause, as of May 12th, 2016, possible DNF!)
July 27, 2011
I found this book to be very disturbing, depressing and violent. If you enjoy taking a journey into someone's mind who has just given up on life and wants to exact revenge on all around him, go ahead and try this one. Warning!! Some very graphic scenes in this book!
May 13, 2009
Great insight into a psycho mind, but it went on and on, and climaxed 3 pages before the end, disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews