Rage dropping out of print

[Ant0105]

While I respect SK's decision to let Rage fall out of print - originally this was just in the US, but here in the UK its been dropped from the more recent editions of the Bachman Books too - and I can understand the reasons behind it, does it not also help perpetuate the fallacy that books, songs, films and in more recent times computer games cause violent behaviour in some people?

There is no question that some people are damaged enough that things can act as a 'trigger', but I've always found that blaming Rage, or an Iron Maiden album, or an Evil Dead film is well... a cop out.
It reminds me of the 'video nasty' censorship in the UK in the 80's where dozens of cheap, gory films were banned (it later turned out that several 'films' did not actually exist, school children simply made them up during interviews as a way to sound 'cool' in front of the interviewer...)
Stanley Kubrick banned his version of A Clockwork Orange in the UK for years, and since his death it has been readily available to no ill effect.

Although I have never been put in the position of King, where Rage was found in the locker of somebody who committed a terrible act, and I'm sure King struggled with a lot of personal feelings and thoughts regarding this (which is why I fully respect and understand his decision), is this an 'admission' that horror/rock and roll etc can influence people to do terrible acts?

[king family fan]

I toldly agree with you. It makes you wonder if you really can have your own choice in what you read.

[GNTLGNT]

Here's something that may help:

"The Carneal incident was enough for me. I asked my publisher to take the damned thing out of print. They concurred." King went on to describe his view on this subject, which acknowledged the culpability that cultural or artistic products such as Rage play in influencing individuals, particularly troubled youths, while also declaring that artists and writers can not be denied the asthetic opportunity to draw upon their own culture—which is suffused with violence, according to King—in their work.

I have never felt that a book, game , TV show or movie was a loaded gun-only the mind of the perpetrator permits the pulling of the trigger...people are ultimately culpable for their own sins-not an object or show...

[Ant0105]

Here's something that may help:

"The Carneal incident was enough for me. I asked my publisher to take the damned thing out of print. They concurred." King went on to describe his view on this subject, which acknowledged the culpability that cultural or artistic products such as Rage play in influencing individuals, particularly troubled youths, while also declaring that artists and writers can not be denied the asthetic opportunity to draw upon their own culture—which is suffused with violence, according to King—in their work.

I have never felt that a book, game , TV show or movie was a loaded gun-only the mind of the perpetrator permits the pulling of the trigger...people are ultimately culpable for their own sins-not an object or show...

Thanks for that, I remembered reading that somewhere before a LONG time ago lol!
I guess that highlights my point really, that King doesn't believe that 'a book, game, TV show or movie' can directly cause tragic events but that personally he felt that Rage should become unavailable (or hard to get hold of at least) which in a way kind of a contradiction.

I would like to stress that I'm not against King's decision, as I said before I'm sure he had lots of private emotions and thoughts regarding this matter and I respect and understand his choice. None of us can understand unless we are unfortunate enough to have a similar situation where something we have done/said/written could have possibly speeded up the cracking of an already damaged mind.
Personally I believe that King and his work is totally blameless, but again I understand and respect his choice.

I can't help wondering what price The Beatles White Album would be going for had it been deleted after the Tate murders... Hopefully that doesn't come across as flippant, I'm sure it can be argured the situations were different enough - I just think King is as blameless as John, Paul, George and Ringo

[Moderator]

I've been trying to find the interview Steve did for Court TV about his pulling Rage but can't locate it. I might see if I can contact someone there directly and ask if they would send us that piece and allow us to post it on the site--as long as Steve is okay with that, too.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Far be it from me to suggest it but....

A forward thinking entrepeneur (think Calvin Towers) might consider buying every second hand copy of The Bachman Books containing Rage available while it's still possible.

Long days and pleasant nights

Pee Ess - I re-read it last week and I think it's very good although I could see that the mature writer of, say, Lisey's Story, might be quite happy to consign an undoubtedly juvenile novel to history.

After all, he's never liked Carrie.

[bobledrew]

I think it's different when the creator of a work decides to withdraw it. While I don't necessarily agree with the decision King made, it's his book. He held on to Pet Sematary for several years before deciding to release it. That is not the same as an outside body censoring work. I don't think it's an admission that the work "made" someone do something; I think it's an admission of King's own feelings rather than some sort of scientific evidence or proof.

The "video nasties" case in the UK is an interesting one that was covered by The Dark Hours Horror podcast in its October 1 episode. Worth a listen.

[Horrorchick]

I always thought if someone decides to act out a book,for some reason in real life its not the books fault it is something wrong with thier thought process. I do respect his wishes to pull it out,but I wish that I knew someone that had the book,so I could read it. I am pretty sure if I did on the book I would be forced to give it to the principal and not get it back until the end of the day(I read true crime books for crying out loud).

[Cthulhu]

This decision fills me with RAGE!!!

[deathislife]

I thought it was a good book, and I'd make a movie based on the book. It wouldn't even be too hard, compared to a lot of King's later work.

In any case, I think he was an idiot to let it drop out of print. It's his choice, of course, but as far as I'm concerned, it's a bad one. It won't make a difference. I mean, almost anyone can just get a copy of The Bachman books. I bought a copy for just one dollar. Since people will find a way to read it anyway, he should put it back in print.