RAGE- Book 4

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Hello all. I have to apologize for not having this post up by March 1 and thank one of our members for letting me know it was missing. I am right smack in the middle of moving to a new house. Internet is now all set up though unpacking has barley begun. So I'm very sorry about that... this book is packed so I am on the hunt for it tomorrow.

So.... please mark all spoilers for those following along and enjoy!! Hope everyone was able to get a copy.

[Monique]

I’m waiting for mine to come in the mail

[Kandice]

I've read this numerous times, but not for a few years. I'm looking forward to a revisit.

[Nancy]

I finished last night. This was a re-read but I had forgotten all the details. For such a short book (131 pages), King can sure get the personalities of the characters in a few sentences.

[Femmy]

I finished it a couple of days ago. I found it hard to relate to any of the characters, so I didn't really enjoy the story. I also don't understand about Ted... (view spoiler)[Why does everyone hate him so much? Is it because he puts up a nice-guy front, but he actually isn't? What's so bad about him that he deserves such a fate? (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

I finished this last week.

[Nancy]

Femmy wrote: "I finished it a couple of days ago. I found it hard to relate to any of the characters, so I didn't really enjoy the story. I also don't understand about Ted... [spoilers removed]"

Stockholm Syndromes. Basically the other students(view spoiler)[come to identify with Charlie. Ted becomes the only student that is being held against his will in the classroom.

Also, Ted is in denial about everything he had done to people. He’s the only one he that hasn’t confronted his secrets. The emotional torture he got at the end just helped push him over the edge he was already teetering on during those four hours.

The other kids don’t necessarily hate him, but they see him like they see the authority figures during this ordeal. They don’t identify with Ted anymore. (hide spoiler)]

[Chris , The Hardcase]

I'm sorry I missed this too, Angie. For some reason, I was thinking I had seen people discussing it. Probably in a thread about getting the book had me confused. Easy to do that these days :)

[Nicole]

Just got my copy in the mail!

[Monique]

I’m waiting on mine in the mail hope this week I get it

[Summer]

It's so strange to read this in an era where school shootings have become so commonplace. I was telling a family member that the police recently preempted a planned shooting at a school near me, and they said something similar had happened recently where they live, as well. They were so blase about and hadn't even thought to mention it because it happens so frequently now. And that's just a sad thought to start the morning off with.

In other news, in case anyone needs it, here's the happy spoiler code: <spoiler> Text here </spoiler>

[Katie]

Monique wrote: "I’m waiting for mine to come in the mail"

How did you find a copy that's not $300?

[Paul]

Where in the King’s good universe do I find a copy. It’s not on ebook is it?

[Matt]

Paul wrote: "Where in the King’s good universe do I find a copy. It’s not on ebook is it?"

There are several copies of The Bachman Books on the UK Ebay site
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_fr...

They seem to be pretty good prices. It's about the only reasonable way to get Rage at this point.

[Maria Hill]

I have just found a copy of the Bachman books with this in it for 2 Euro in a second hand shop. :)

[Chris , The Hardcase]

Summer wrote: "It's so strange to read this in an era where school shootings have become so commonplace. I was telling a family member that the police recently preempted a planned shooting at a school near me, an..."

It could be too that the media doesn't have a lot of use for the story unless there are killings.

[Crystal]

You will have to buy the backman books, but you will have to go to a second hand book store to get rage, as he pulled it of the market. So it is no longer in print. You will not find it new in a books store

[Monique]

Kati I got mine on thiftstore.com

[Paul]

Matt wrote: "Paul wrote: "Where in the King’s good universe do I find a copy. It’s not on ebook is it?"

There are several copies of The Bachman Books on the UK Ebay site
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from..."

Thanks, this is super helpful.

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Summer wrote: "It's so strange to read this in an era where school shootings have become so commonplace. I was telling a family member that the police recently preempted a planned shooting at a school near me, an..."

Thank you for posting the spoiler code!

[Adam]

Katie, if you find a copy for $300 please let me know. :)

[Linda]

I found mine on ebook bike. It's not perfect but I was able to read it

[mrbooks]

I know you can listen to it on youtube, I'm lucky though I have the 1985 copy of the Bachman book.

[Nancy]

Amazon has used copies of The Bachman books:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...

[Femmy]

Nancy wrote: "Stockholm Syndrome."

Nancy, thank you for your thoughts.

After giving it more thought, I think out of all the characters, I identify with Ted the most. I, too, (view spoiler)[wouldn't want to confess my secrets to people I don't consider a close friend. So it horrified me to read about his fate. (hide spoiler)]

[Aditya]

Rage was pretty disappointing for me, interesting idea that deserved a much better execution. I think it was one of the first stories he wrote and it shows. I think later day King as a more mature author could have done wonders with the idea. Not one of his worst, but in the bottom half of King books for me.

[David]

Anyone in London UK who is struggling to find a copy of Rage the Barbican Library has an old copy of the Bachman Books which includes Rage. The book is the top entry at the following link (I couldn't link to the book itself). The book is in the stores so you have to call the library in advance of visiting to give them time to get it. I used this copy when reading Rage for last year's group read.

https://col.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/cli...#

[Matt]

Aditya wrote: "Rage was pretty disappointing for me, interesting idea that deserved a much better execution. I think it was one of the first stories he wrote and it shows. I think later day King as a more mature ..."

I very much agree. He didn’t have enough time away from school to really be able to do the book justice. I find it generally feels very angry, and Charlie’s motivations to be weak

[mrbooks]

Matt wrote: "Aditya wrote: "Rage was pretty disappointing for me, interesting idea that deserved a much better execution. I think it was one of the first stories he wrote and it shows. I think later day King as..."

Yes it does feel very angry, but then again it is suppose to feel that way Charlie is angry at the world, most teen-agers at that age have anger issues. Admittedly most don't go off the rails like Charlie does. Even Charlie knew something was wrong but was at a loss of what to do about it. Ted tried to keep his self aloof of the situation. He was better then that, he was a normal and acceptable Teenage boy, someone all parents want there daughters to date. Ted didn't like hearing the truth about things, he wanted to stay in his own little world. Ted was a loose cannon waiting to explode on the world the class did what needed doing to set him straight, so he wouldn't be another Charlie or worse.

[Monique]

I got Bachman today all 4 book in one 😁

[Femmy]

mrbooks wrote: "Ted didn't like hearing the truth about things, he wanted to stay in his own little world. Ted was a loose cannon waiting to explode on the world the class did what needed doing to set him straight, so he wouldn't be another Charlie or worse. "

It's scary that (view spoiler)[setting someone straight involves torturing him until he loses in mind and goes catatonic. (hide spoiler)]

[Nancy]

I think it was Ted’s (view spoiler)[own “secrets” about himself that he didn’t want to admit to himself that really made him lose his mind. I think the things they did to him just pushed him over. The catalyst. The things they did only last a few minutes. Ink poured in his hair etc. he wasn’t held down or tied down, he could have tried to run or fight them with his fists but he didn’t. (hide spoiler)]

I like MrBrooks take, the Ted was a loose cannon waiting to be another Charlie.

[Jackie]

Monique wrote: "I’m waiting on mine in the mail hope this week I get it"

Me too! I know I had a copy years ago, but who knows where it is now...

[Femmy]

Still trying to understand about Ted. Theories from mrbooks and Nancy are helping. But I think (view spoiler)[the class were just seeing someone who was different from them, who didn't get the Stockholm Syndrome, who didn't want to share secrets. And they bullied him for being different. (hide spoiler)]

[Aditya]

Surprised to see no one touch on that aspect of the book being banned. Just got a couple of questions regarding how most of you feel about censorship, feel free to opine if you got the time.

1. How do you feel about the book being banned?

I personally feel anyone for whom the book acts as a trigger is already broken in some way. A completely sane person won't ever be tempted by any piece of pop culture to truly cross that line that a school shooter crosses. With violent content getting more easily accessible to teens with each passing day, I really see no point in banning any particular book.

2. When should any medium of mass entertainment be banned?

I will personally only think about banning a book/movie/TV series that has got clear malicious intent and expressly propagates lies or defames a particular individual or institution without any verifiable evidence to back up its claims. So I won't ban anything that hurts particular sentiments but is enjoyed by others like anything with gruesome violence or even torture porn.

3. An impish one to round it off, do you thing King would still ban Rage even if it had a cultural impact/ fan following that rivaled The Shining or The Stand or IT?

Call me cynical but I think no. Keeping financial considerations aside, if it was one of his best books; like any other author he would be too proud of the book to stop its publishing. And I won't blame him in the slightest.

[Linda]

I understand why it was banned but do I think it should have been. The answer is no. There are a lot of movies that maybe should be banned aren't. I liked the story well enough for a first time read.

[Kandice]

I don’t think the book should be banned. Perhaps when he originally “took it off the market” it may have made sense, but like Aditya said, it would only incite someone already “broken.”

Along those same lines, if King is going to be completely true to the stand he took with this book, he should also take Mr. Mercedes off the market. There have been numerous instances of people being slaughtered by a vehicle being driven into a crowd.

[mrbooks]

Femmy wrote: "Still trying to understand about Ted. Theories from mrbooks and Nancy are helping. But I think [spoilers removed]"

OK, Ted (view spoiler)[ Ted was different her thought he was normal and at that point in most normal teenagers lives they feel the exact opposite. They weren't in the class room long enough for Stockholm to take effect. Normally it takes several days for that to be taken into account. The fact that 99% of the class could identify with Charlie is an indicator that he was a tad crazy but nowhere near as crazy as he thought he was. The stomach pain is indicative of stress, if you notice when it was just his fellow students his stomach was fine. When ever he had to speak to someone in authority his stomach acting up again. This is his fathers fault more then anything else. (hide spoiler)]

[mrbooks]

Aditya wrote: "Surprised to see no one touch on that aspect of the book being banned. Just got a couple of questions regarding how most of you feel about censorship, feel free to opine if you got the time.

1. Ho..."


Hi Aditya, for the most part I agree with you. I feel Stephen King would still remove the book from publication even if it was his best selling novel. It's not the subject matter but his feelings and how ethical he feels it would be to remove it from publication. Even for a top selling book of Kings, it's not about the money he doesn't need it now, it is expressing his feelings and imagination through his talent a talent that even when in high school far exceeded just about any authors.

[Staci]

Katie wrote: "Monique wrote: "I’m waiting for mine to come in the mail"

How did you find a copy that's not $300?"

Amazon has Bachman book titled, Four Early Novels, Rage is part of that collection. I purchased my copy for under $30 if memory serves.

[Femmy]

I just read the Wikipedia article about Rage and it turns out that there was not only one, but five incidents that were directly related to Rage. All the perpetrators had read it, four of them held a class hostage, three of them shot and killed people.

If I were the one who wrote Rage, I would self-ban the book, too.

[Staci]

I originally made this comment to Angie but I also want to share them with the group.

Personally I think the timing is right for reading Rage. Students as well as adults are now seeing the emotional issues that accompany tragic school shootings. Awareness of fellow students’ troubled lives and visual evidence of turmoil can now be discussed and at the very least be brought to the attention of authorities. Rage forces the reader to be more aware of those around them and it may encourage change on school campus around the country.
King’s writing puts the reader not only in the head of the shooter but the reader can easily become the shooter as you read. The writing is that good. It’s extremely raw and mental.

[Chris , The Hardcase]

Kandice wrote: "Along those same lines, if King is going to be completely true to the stand he took with this book, he should also take Mr. Mercedes off the market. There have been numerous instances of people being slaughtered by a vehicle being driven into a crowd. .."

Good point, Kandice. I hadn't thought of this, but it's true. Then again, if there were an initiative to remove automobiles from everyone, there might be a push for it...

[Femmy]

Kandice wrote: "Along those same lines, if King is going to be completely true to the stand he took with this book, he should also take Mr. Mercedes off the market. There have been numerous instances of people being slaughtered by a vehicle being driven into a crowd. "

How many of those vehicle-wielding killers read Mr. Mercedes though? On the other hand, the link between Rage and five school incidents is very clear.

[Staci]

Staci wrote: "I originally made this comment to Angie but I also want to share them with the group.

Personally I think the timing is right for reading Rage. Students as well as adults are now seeing the emotion..."

Sorry to reply to my own post but I need to clarify. I wrote this to Angie saying I think the timing is right for ‘our group’ to read Rage, but not meaning it should be in print again.
I do wish there was a way to make it a mandatory read for all teachers, counselors and administrators. There’s a message in the story that needs attention.
I’ve participated in many ‘lock down’ drills for an active shooter and it’s incredibly taxing. Teachers have to be intentional in every detail to make sure every student is out of line of fire. With this type of experience, alarming details of student personalities emerge. Personalities that are similar to characters in Rage. We need to help these young people.
What more can I say except there’s an important message for educators in King’s story.
Sorry for the soap box.

[Kandice]

Femmy wrote: "How many of those vehicle-wielding killers read Mr. Mercedes though? On the other hand, the link between Rage and five school incidents is very clear...."

It's true we don't know how many may have read it, but since King is popular enough to almost classify as "pulp," I bet many have.

I'm not arguing for a ban or censorship, I'm just saying that once you begin banning and censoring, it's incredibly hard to draw the line. It's such an incredibly slippery slope and an argument can be made that almost novel is inappropriate in some way.

[Nick]

Kandice wrote: "I don’t think the book should be banned. Perhaps when he originally “took it off the market” it may have made sense, but like Aditya said, it would only incite someone already “broken.”

Along thos..."

I thought of Mr. Mercedes too. Right after the TV show came out a killer did a drive through killing that was very like the scene in the show. King has written in other works that the writer should not feel responsible for copycat acts based on his/her work.

[Nick]

Staci wrote: "Staci wrote: "I originally made this comment to Angie but I also want to share them with the group.

Personally I think the timing is right for reading Rage. Students as well as adults are now seei..."

I agree, Staci, I think there is an important message for educators here. I haven't read the book in a year and have a few strong opinions but I want to read it again before I present them. One point to note, though, is that King was a teacher, so he does understand some of the dynamic.

[mrbooks]

Ben wrote: "I probably would have been devastated enough at that time to self-ban the book as well. But it would have only been a temporary ban.
I would have re-released it with an age-restriction or under a r..."

It's funny putting a age restriction or age classification is one certain way to ensure your book gets read by those you don't want to read your book. Back in the early 80 a movie was banned in England for general release and video sales. Evil dead made a absolute killing in this country just on video sales.

[Summer]

I'm okay with King taking the book out of print. Ultimately, it's his creation and he gets to dictate what does and doesn't happen with it. I can understand why he'd be uncomfortable with having this out there.

For those of you while said there are important messages for educators here, what do you mean? Do you think the book highlights something school staff aren't already aware of and familiar with?