Stephen King, often called the King of Horror, has crafted some of the most spine-chilling stories in literary history. Novels like The Shining and IT have not only captivated readers but have also been adapted into legendary films. However, one of his books stands apart—not for its widespread acclaim, but because it was intentionally pulled from circulation, never to be reprinted again.
The novel, Rage, was first published in 1977 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Unlike other books that fade into obscurity due to lack of interest, Rage was actively withdrawn by King himself. He believed it was the responsible choice, as he explained in his 2013 essay Guns.
Reflecting on the time when he wrote Rage, King noted how drastically the world has changed. If the book had been written today, he speculated, a teacher might have quickly reported it, leading to mandatory counseling. In 1965, however, society was different—air travel required no shoe removal, and high schools lacked metal detectors.
Although Rage was written long before real-life school violence became a grim reality, it was later linked to a series of tragic events. The book tells the unsettling story of a troubled student who brings a gun to school, murders a teacher, and holds his classmates hostage.
In 1988, a student held a high school class hostage but later surrendered. Reports suggested Rage had influenced him. A year later, another student held his peers captive for nine hours, with a copy of the book reportedly found in his locker.
Tragic connections persisted. In 1996, a 14-year-old student killed two classmates and a teacher; Rage was discovered on his nightstand. The following year, another 14-year-old committed a school shooting, killing three. A copy of Rage was allegedly found in his possession.
These incidents prompted King to make the difficult decision to pull the book. Initially, Rage remained in print as part of The Bachman Books, a 1985 collection of King’s early works. However, as its unsettling associations became clearer, he chose to withdraw it entirely.
The novel had been deeply personal to King, reflecting his teenage frustrations. Still, he ultimately felt it had no place in circulation. In a 2007 footnote in Blaze, he remarked: “Now out of print, and a good thing.”
Despite being discontinued, Rage remains highly sought after. In 2013, BookFinder.com ranked it as the second most desired out-of-print book, following Madonna’s controversial S*.* Used copies surface online, with prices sometimes exceeding $700.
King has openly addressed his decision, clarifying that while he does not believe fiction directly causes violence, he did not want his book associated with such tragedies. He acknowledged that most readers are unaffected by literature in this way, but for a select few, the impact is unpredictable. Removing Rage from circulation was, in his view, a precautionary measure.
This novel serves as a chilling example of how fiction, though created without harmful intent, can sometimes take on unintended meanings. King’s decision to withdraw Rage highlights his sense of responsibility as an author. While his other works continue to be celebrated, this particular book remains a sobering reminder of the complicated relationship between storytelling and reality.
