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Content snapshot
Flag an inaccuracy →What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.
Violence
A lot
School shooting — two teachers killed; the violence is described directly
Language
A lot
Strong profanity throughout
Sexual Content
Barely any
Brief adult references
Substance Use
Some
Drug and alcohol references
Emotional Intensity
Very heavy
The most disturbing element: the captive students gradually sympathize with and defend the shooter — a psychological dynamic King felt was too dangerous to publish
What this book is about
Same content as Rage (Bachman). King's early novel was voluntarily withdrawn after being cited in connection with multiple school shootings. A student kills two teachers and holds his class hostage; the students gradually develop sympathy with the shooter. The psychological dynamic is extremely disturbing. King judged the book too dangerous to remain in print.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
School shooting content
Shooter sympathy dynamics
King withdrew from print
Extreme psychological content
Reader Verification
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