Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“The mind is its own worst enemy.”
― Stephen King, Rage
Rage, by Stephen King (published under The pseudonym Richard Bachman), stands apart from his later, more famous novels. It takes readers on a disturbing journey into the mind of a troubled high school student and his classmates, a psycho that went berserk, focusing less on external horror and more on the exploration of the psychological depth. Particularly within the context of violence, alienation, and youth mental health.
“That was Dad's life, and I was the birdshit on his windshield.”
― Stephen King, Rage
The novel opens up intensely, followed by a series of shocking events right early in the book, it grabs your attention immediately, then as the story unfolds the nature of the story shifts into the true meaning of the book centering on the psychological tension that develops among the students trapped in a hostage situation. While the protagonist, Charlie, is the obvious “psycho” of the story, the real depth lies in how King subtly compares him to his classmates. Though they haven’t acted out violently, each harbors inner turmoil and psychological issues. This peeling back of the characters layers is often of Dostoevsky's (my number 1), where the deeper we go, the more complex and raw the characters become, like peeling layers of an onion.
“They talk about responsibility, but no one really believes in it. No one wants to take it. The world is full of little minds, dreaming up big things they don’t have the guts to follow through on.”
― Stephen King, Rage
Despite the story taking place almost entirely within the confines of a classroom, showcasing his early talent as a storyteller and his mastery in developing character dynamics in such a limited space. It’s a testament to his writing skills, even early in his career, He's a Natural in keeping readers engaged, letting the psychological tension take center stage.
“We were all insane now, and we would all remain insane for as long as the situation lasted.”
― Stephen King, Rage
One of the book’s strengths lies in its dark, page-turning thriller qualities, though it’s important to note that "Rage" is not a horror novel. It has more in common with crime and psychological thrillers, focusing on the characters’ internal battles rather than external frights.
Its imo more entered around youth mental health and societal issues with a sensitivity that makes it both provocative and potentially dangerous for some readers. The novel raises critical questions about the underlying dangers in society, particularly with younger generations, and how mental health can shape individuals in troubling ways.
“I think we’re all mentally ill. Those of us outside the asylums only hide it a little better.”
― Stephen King, Rage
The ending, though predictable, feels necessary. Unlike King’s typical unpredictable conclusions, Rage takes a different approach, focusing on the psychological rather than dramatic twists. While it might not surprise readers, it serves its purpose in prioritizing the novel’s focus on character analysis over the incident itself.
““It's only a little secret, but having a secret makes me feel better. Like a human being again.””
― Stephen King, Rage
In summary, Rage is an early example of King’s mastery of psychological complexity. While it may not be as famous as his other works, it offers a provoking look into the dark corners of the mind, proving that King was a natural storyteller from the very beginning.
“In the end, we are all just a product of what we hide.”
― Stephen King, Rage
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I get why he wanted this out of print. Definitely reads like breakfast club but Judd Nelson kills a couple people.
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, that was interesting.
I´ll admit it, I entered to this book because of its controversy. It actually was my first Stephen King book. I did like it. But, I don´t know... While some situations were frantically real, some of them were just... "are you seriously telling me that this happened?".
An interesting reading, nothing less, nothing more.
I´ll admit it, I entered to this book because of its controversy. It actually was my first Stephen King book. I did like it. But, I don´t know... While some situations were frantically real, some of them were just... "are you seriously telling me that this happened?".
An interesting reading, nothing less, nothing more.
4.5 ⭐️ Very interesting book, I really recommend it. Wasn’t at all what I expected