The horror icon Stephen King has taken the extraordinary step of withdrawing his novel Rage from print following its association with multiple school shootings over the years. The story, which follows a high school student taking classmates hostage after a breakdown, became a point of reference for several violent incidents.
One of the most notorious was the 1997 shooting at Heath High School in Kentucky, where shooter Michael Carneal was found with Rage in his possession. This tragedy led King to become the first major author to ask that a book be pulled due to its potential to inspire harm.
Rage was initially published under a pseudonym but showcased personal struggles King faced during his youth. The realization of the impact the novel had in emboldening real acts of violence deeply affected King.
King also wrote essays advocating for gun control and awareness, donating proceeds to advocacy groups. His decision to suppress Rage stands as a rare example of an author prioritizing social responsibility over commercial interests.
