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A review by dylanhenning
Rage by Richard Bachman
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
If you’re here reading these reviews you probably already know the history around Rage and why it was pulled from publication so I won’t bore you by retreading well worn ground.
What I will say is this book was bad. Not based on the history surrounding it but the content of the story itself. You can tell it was an early Stephen King book (he started it in high school) because it’s full of teen angst and the teenage main character thinks he’s smarter than he really is.
I also thought the classmates didn’t feel realistic. There is an interesting story to be told about mob mentality but it wasn’t told here. Here the classmates seemed too calm at being held at gun point after watching two adults just get shot and they very quickly all sided with Charlie and his motivations.
I take no pleasure in giving a book 1 star. In fact this is the first time I’ve done so but I found no redeeming qualities in this novel aside from the fact that it’s short. If it were any longer I would’ve DNF’d it.
Ultimately I think Stephen King’s legacy is better off with this being pulled from publication as it would tarnish his legacy.
What I will say is this book was bad. Not based on the history surrounding it but the content of the story itself. You can tell it was an early Stephen King book (he started it in high school) because it’s full of teen angst and the teenage main character thinks he’s smarter than he really is.
I also thought the classmates didn’t feel realistic. There is an interesting story to be told about mob mentality but it wasn’t told here. Here the classmates seemed too calm at being held at gun point after watching two adults just get shot and they very quickly all sided with Charlie and his motivations.
I take no pleasure in giving a book 1 star. In fact this is the first time I’ve done so but I found no redeeming qualities in this novel aside from the fact that it’s short. If it were any longer I would’ve DNF’d it.
Ultimately I think Stephen King’s legacy is better off with this being pulled from publication as it would tarnish his legacy.