Rage

Title: Rage

Author: Richard Bachman

Published in: 1977

Date read: 16th December 2020

Score: 3/5

Genre: Horror, Psychological, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Rage" by Richard Bachman (a pseudonym of Stephen King), originally published in 1977 as "Getting It On," is a chilling psychological thriller. It stands out in King's bibliography for its controversial subject matter and was eventually pulled from publication by King himself due to its perceived connection to real-world school shootings.

The story is narrated in the first person by Charles Decker, a seemingly ordinary and intelligent high school senior. The novel begins on an ordinary school day when Charles, after being sent to the principal's office for a trivial transgression, completely snaps. In a fit of cold, calculated rage, he first assaults his chemistry teacher, Mr. Vance, and then murders his principal, Mr. Weiderman.

Having committed these acts, Charles returns to his classroom, brandishes a pistol, and takes his entire Algebra class hostage. What follows is not a typical hostage drama focused on demands or escape. Instead, Charles conducts a bizarre, manipulative "therapy session" with his terrified classmates.

Through psychological games, sharp taunts, and an unnerving ability to expose the hidden vulnerabilities and resentments of his peers and teachers, Charles systematically dismantles the social hierarchy of the classroom. He forces his classmates to confront their own suppressed anger, fears, and hypocrisies. He holds court, grilling students about their deepest secrets, their relationships, and their true feelings about each other and their teachers.

Anyone who challenges him too directly or tries to assert authority is dealt with ruthlessly, either verbally or with chilling threats of violence. Two teachers who attempt to intervene are also killed.

The atmosphere inside the classroom is one of escalating tension, fear, and a strange, almost hypnotic complicity as Charles's control tightens. Some students begin to gravitate towards him, drawn in by his twisted charisma and the perverse honesty he forces upon them. He seems to derive perverse satisfaction from the breakdown of order and the unleashing of his own inner demons, which he projects onto others.

The police outside are baffled by Charles's lack of clear demands and his seemingly random violence. The climax of the novel is not a grand rescue attempt but rather the terrifying psychological unravelling of the situation within the classroom, as Charles pushes his captives to their breaking point, culminating in a final act of violence that seals his fate. "Rage" is a disturbing study of adolescent rage, societal breakdown, and the dark undercurrents that can exist beneath a seemingly normal facade.

Comments:
At best, it was OK. It hurts me to say it but this is a King book that I didn't really enjoy. I am very sure that the reason is my preconception that as a teacher, I should hate a book about a school shooting. I think that this worked and I gave it 3 because I think that King gave a credulous voice to Charles. If this type of horrific tragedy did not occur in the real world, I may have rated it higher. No criticism of the writing, I just can't enjoy this topic.

Books that we've read by Richard Bachman (6):
Rage (1977), The Long Walk (1978), Roadwork (1981), The Running Man (1982), Thinner (1984), Blaze (2007)