Rage

[Wednes]

Is there any way, do you think, that Mr King might reconsider his choice to never publish the short story "Rage" again? I have recently lost my 3rd copy, and it's damn expensive on the Internets--especially in hardcover. It wouldn't be if only he'd let it be published again.

I can understand his reasoning, since kids weren't actually shooting up schools yet when that story first came out. Kids have more access to guns today than they did then. But surely Carrie would stay in print even if telekinesis became all the rage--so to speak, yes?

Honestly, I was a messed up kid from a messed up family. The story "Rage" assured me that other people were having a terrible time with parents, authority in general, classmates, etc. It curbed my then-fantasy about burning my school down with everyone inside. Couple that with Stephen King making me want to be a writer in the first place (until I read Misery, anyway. *snerk*) and you can see why I'd really, really like a new copy of Rage for something under $65.

[Moderator]

It's highly unlikely he'll change his mind about this.

[Wednes]

You're probably right. I find that sad. I don't want to judge his decision, really. At the same time, the pseudointellectual fantasy-land Wednes wishes she could point out to Mr King how valuable that story was to a young me. Obviously, "Rage" does not advocate shooting up a classroom; quite the opposite, in fact. Ending up in the booby hatch is NOT a desirable outcome for most people.

I was one of those kids that thought a lot about taking revenge on my tormentors, and even more about suicide. Knowing that I always had those options if I really, really wanted them was enough to keep me from doing them. A story like Rage helps kids understand that they aren't alone in what they're suffering. And it shows them one of many ways people deal with their anger. Since it comes from a horror writer, the way shown is the wrong way. Common sense tells us that bringing a handgun to school is a stupid thing to do that can end very, very badly. But keeping a book out of our hands isn't going to give anyone more common sense.

[katkar]

Its much less expensive if you purchase it in 'The Bachman books'. This book has four Bachman books in it including Rage, The Long Walk, Roadwork, and the Running Man.