Rage (King novel)

Rage is a psychological thriller novel written by Stephen King, originally published in 1977 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. It tells the story of Charlie Decker, a high school student who brings a gun to school and holds his algebra class hostage.

The novel explores themes of alienation, anger, mental instability, and the dark side of teenage angst. Decker, facing expulsion for assaulting a teacher, snaps and commits a violent act, leading to a disturbing and complex situation within the classroom. As the hostage situation unfolds, the students, initially terrified, begin to sympathize with Decker and even challenge their own lives and societal norms.

The narrative delves into the characters' backstories and psychological states, revealing their individual struggles and contributing to a climate of escalating tension and emotional turmoil. Through dialogue and internal monologues, the novel examines issues of bullying, parental neglect, societal pressures, and the search for identity.

Rage has been a subject of controversy due to its depiction of school violence and its possible influence on real-life incidents. Following several school shootings, King requested that the book be taken out of print in the late 1990s, and it is no longer published or available for purchase. It remains a difficult and unsettling work, reflecting a darker aspect of King's early writing career under the Bachman persona.