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Title:
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Rage
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Author:
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Richard Bachman (pseudonym of Stephen King)
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Genre:
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Psychological Thriller
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Publisher:
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Signet (New
American Library Inc)
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ISBN10:
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0-451-07645-1
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Year:
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1977
(September)
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Format:
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US Paperback
- First Edition - First Impression
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Pages:
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214
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First
Edition Identifiers:
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First
Printing, September, 1977 stated with full number line 123456789 both to copyright page; Issue price $1.50 printed on the front
cover.
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Comments:
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First U.S. print run was only 75,000.
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Condition: Best copy of the US first edition I've handled to date! This 47 year old rarity unusually has no significant creases or scuffs unlike so many copies. No stamps or marks of any kind; not ex-library; tanned in line with its great age, clean endpapers and no dedications. It appears to have been read once at most with four pages slightly curved at the top of pp38-42; no rolling or lean, no sunning or foxing, no highlights or bookshop stamps; light rubbing to top and bottom of spine; 4mm nick in the image (only) on the front cover; A very scarce title written by Stephen King under pseudonym, out-of-print and much sought-after.
Plot Summary: A young man named Charlie Decker is called into the principal’s office
of his high school after assaulting a teacher. He goes on an expletive-filled
tirade for reasons he doesn’t understand, prompting his expulsion. Decker then
goes to his locker to retrieve a semi-automatic pistol, burns the remaining
contents and kills two other faculty members before taking his algebra class
hostage. What ensues is a standoff in which the students who had begun as
hostages become unwitting accomplices as a sort of Stockholm Syndrome sets in
and they begin to identify more with their captor than with those trying to end
the conflict. Beyond
the controversy, Rage is a masterpiece. Potent, pertinent, provocative, concise
and like all of King's early works, they're better now than ever before. The
pacing is what makes Rage such an enjoyable read. One of a kind and years ahead
of it's time.
About the
Author: About the Author: Stephen King (a.k.a. Richard Bachman) is an
American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime,
science-fiction, and fantasy novels. At this early point in King’s career,
despite the fact that he had only published a few short stories and novels, he
was already quite popular. King was developing a penchant for churning out
books like nobody else, but Doubleday didn’t want to saturate the market by
issuing more than one new King book each year. Instead, King used his
editor at NAL who had purchased the paperback rights to his Doubleday novels
for enormous sums. (NEL reissued in the UK). Publishing under
the pseudonym "Richard Bachman", the plan was to see if it would
find its own audience without the benefit of King’s name. Only 7 of his novels
are under this name making them rarer amongst the other 58 to date and
reflected in the value.
Known as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a
reference to his high standing in pop culture, his books have to date sold well
over 400 million copies. Numerous adaptations have and are being made of
King’s works, both for TV and film, and they include such notable directors as
Stanley Kubrick, John Carpenter, David Cronenberg, Brian De Palma and Rob
Reiner.
Health Warning: This work is not suitable for mentally unstable teenagers ! Please do not purchase if underage or give it as a gift to anyone underage. The Author withdrew the work from circulation and although I am against censorship buyer discretion is advised.
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