Rage (2011 novel)
Encyclopedia
Rage is a 2011 young adult
novel by Jackie Morse Kessler. A teenage girl who cuts herself
must take on the role of War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
.
In her criticism of violence within contemporary young adult fiction, Meghan Cox Gurdon cites Rage as an example of literature that may "help normalize" pathology and "even spread their plausibility and likelihood to young people who might otherwise never have imagined such extreme measures". Kessler refuted this idea in her blog, saying, "The entire purpose of the book — indeed, of all of the Riders of the Apocalypse books — is to raise awareness of issues such as self-injury and eating disorders and bullying."
Kirkus Reviews
gave a mixed review of the novel: praising the portrayals of the other horsemen and their steeds but saying, "the psychological and social issues overwhelm the paranormal elements here, and the theme of overcoming self-harm through apocalyptic power wears thin on this second outing. Dark humor and realistic situations cannot overcome the swiftly staling premise."
Young adult literature
Young-adult fiction or young adult literature , also juvenile fiction, is fiction written for, published for, or marketed to adolescents and young adults, roughly ages 14 to 21. The Young Adult Library Services of the American Library Association defines a young adult as "someone between the...
novel by Jackie Morse Kessler. A teenage girl who cuts herself
Self-harm
Self-harm or deliberate self-harm includes self-injury and self-poisoning and is defined as the intentional, direct injuring of body tissue most often done without suicidal intentions. These terms are used in the more recent literature in an attempt to reach a more neutral terminology...
must take on the role of War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are described in the last book of the New Testament of the Bible, called the Book of Revelation of Jesus Christ to Saint John the Evangelist at 6:1-8. The chapter tells of a "'book'/'scroll' in God's right hand that is sealed with seven seals"...
.
In her criticism of violence within contemporary young adult fiction, Meghan Cox Gurdon cites Rage as an example of literature that may "help normalize" pathology and "even spread their plausibility and likelihood to young people who might otherwise never have imagined such extreme measures". Kessler refuted this idea in her blog, saying, "The entire purpose of the book — indeed, of all of the Riders of the Apocalypse books — is to raise awareness of issues such as self-injury and eating disorders and bullying."
Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus . Kirkus serves the book and literary trade sector, including libraries, publishers, literary and film agents, film and TV producers and booksellers. Kirkus Reviews is published on the first and 15th of each month...
gave a mixed review of the novel: praising the portrayals of the other horsemen and their steeds but saying, "the psychological and social issues overwhelm the paranormal elements here, and the theme of overcoming self-harm through apocalyptic power wears thin on this second outing. Dark humor and realistic situations cannot overcome the swiftly staling premise."