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A review by 09didi
Rage by Richard Bachman
3.0
Ok, so I'm actually not sure whether or not I liked it. As always, I read this book because of the people who said they hated it. I also read it because I read somewhere that SK had it removed from publication. Which I totally understand...
So let me get to it. I get why so many people hated the book. It's about a school shooting. Nobody likes a school shooting. And we defiantly don't want to go about giving impressionable young teens/adults the wrong kind of ideas. Also, Charlie isn't your most likeable character. But, i guess it's exactly what SK was trying to achieve? From what I know (and this is only from articles and TV shows, we have lots of problems here in South Africa, but school shootings ain't one of them) school shooters aren't always the most likeable people. Often a little weird, perhaps even a social outcast to a certain extent. So Stephen King definitely achieved that much, as far as character "build up" is concerned.
Then I also think that this book is way more than a story of a guy who decided fuck society, I'm going to kill someone today. I see it as being symbolic of the way society treats certain kinds of people. And how these people, will, eventually, just have enough.
Anyway, it is what it is. I won't rate this more than a three, because it's not outstanding. It would be a lie. However, if you sit and think about it. There are layers to unfold and study.
"That's the end. I have to turn off the light now. Good night."
So let me get to it. I get why so many people hated the book. It's about a school shooting. Nobody likes a school shooting. And we defiantly don't want to go about giving impressionable young teens/adults the wrong kind of ideas. Also, Charlie isn't your most likeable character. But, i guess it's exactly what SK was trying to achieve? From what I know (and this is only from articles and TV shows, we have lots of problems here in South Africa, but school shootings ain't one of them) school shooters aren't always the most likeable people. Often a little weird, perhaps even a social outcast to a certain extent. So Stephen King definitely achieved that much, as far as character "build up" is concerned.
Then I also think that this book is way more than a story of a guy who decided fuck society, I'm going to kill someone today. I see it as being symbolic of the way society treats certain kinds of people. And how these people, will, eventually, just have enough.
Anyway, it is what it is. I won't rate this more than a three, because it's not outstanding. It would be a lie. However, if you sit and think about it. There are layers to unfold and study.
"That's the end. I have to turn off the light now. Good night."