The Exorcist Hardcover – Print, August 1, 2004

It is not a challenging read -- it breezes past. But it's probably also the first book I was actively afraid to read close to the time I sleep, because I really didn't need the images appearing in my dreams. It's unsettling, and vile at times. Casual off-hand remarks to diarrhea I think should set the picture for the sort of imagery you'll have to wade through.At its core, though, it's such a Catholic book. Part is about poor Regan's fight with a demon styling himself as "Captain Howdy," but it's mostly the dark night of Father Karras's soul. After the death of his mother (whom he feels he let down), his faith is shot. Compounded with his training as a psychiatrist, he is in a hell of a dilemma with Regan's case -- he so badly wants to believe she is possessed and the Devil is real and so is God, but he so badly wants to believe he's not nuts and this is a girl undergoing an extreme case of psychic breakdown. Every single sign that this is a genuine devil comes with just enough doubt that I even started wondering, "...could she just be crazy?"I'm quibbling a little with the rating, though. The last chapter was...eh. I despise when authors feel the need to beat you over the head with "See? This could mean one of two things:..." But, for its faults, it succeeds in troubling the soul (just as Blatty and Captain Howdy want): if Regan is possessed, how could God do this to her and her family? If she isn't...there is something really dark at the bottom of even a young child's soul. It spooked me a bit. It wins.Minor tangent I'd like to touch on: the most odd object in this book is Detective Kinderman. His mannerisms, modest demeanor belying a sharp cunning, and self-deprecating humor is so startlingly like my favorite TV character, Columbo -- in fact, so alike that Blatty accuses the show's creators of lifting his character -- that it struck me to find him in the midst of a quite unsettling book.

So much has been written about this book and subsequent movie. As the description says, The Exorcist is a part of our culture, not to mention it's spawned hundreds-maybe even thousands-of imitations. I first read the novel while in school, then went to see the terrifying William Friedkin movie by myself. Like so many others at the time, I had nightmares for a week. Imagine having grown up with stories featuring vampires, zombies, and mutants. Then, this powerhouse of a tale comes along about a non-religious young girl who unwittingly invites a demon into her house courtesy of a Ouija board. Now, today that may seem tame, given that we've become inured to evil courtesy of television series like Supernatural. But back in the day, this was Grade-A horror, my friend.What I loved most about the book when I first read it-and what I cherish now-is how real the characters seem. The author, William Peter Blatty, was a graduate of Georgetown University and knew well the world of Jesuit priests. For my money, he did a marvelous job of delving into their humor, their disappointments, and their loneliness. And when he takes a tortured soul like Damien Karras, a priest who is also a brilliant psychologist, and puts him in a room with Satan, well… Let's just say things get really interesting.One more thing. In rereading the novel and recalling Lee J. Cobb's excellent screen portrayal of Kinderman, I was happily reminded that the author had quite a sense of humor. To me, his dogged cop is Columbo if he'd been Jewish. Seeing this weary flat-foot spar with the dour priest is nothing short of magical.As bad as things get for the girl, Regan, and her mother, Chris, Blatty gives us hope that God will prevail in the end. Without that, this story would have been nihilistic and pointless. An exercise in demonic torture porn. So, whether you are a person of faith or not, if you enjoy horror that is smart, funny, and mind-numbingly scary, I heartily recommend this book. And if, like me, you're Catholic, be sure to keep a Rosary on your nightstand.

I was terrified to even attempt to read this novel. I was extremely surprised it did not even come close to being as horrifying, for me, as The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson. Nor, does the film adaption of Blatty’s work bring half as much fear to my bones as the film The Exorcism of Emily Rose. With that said I felt as though this was a novel that the film outshined the novel by leaps and bounds! Although there are differences here and there I felt the film adaption was done extremely well, actually better. I felt Linda Blair portrayed a far better Regan than what I pictured from William’s book. Also, I felt that Ellyn Burstyn portrayed a far more enjoyable Chris than Blatty wrote. I felt that Blatty made Chris very flat, repetitive, and downright annoying. Actually, Blatty made Chris a really crappy person as well, and she treated her housekeepers and secretary like garbage. I felt like Father Damien and Father Merrin were the best as far as Blatty writing them, and the casting was on par with the novel. I was very surprised that this book didn’t terrify me the way I felt it would, and if you are a fan of the film I feel in this case the novel actually was weaker than the film. Although an entertaining read, and fun to say I’ve read it, I wouldn’t really say it is a must read. Overall, I wouldn’t even put this in my top 5 scariest Horror novels. It was good, but not great. Sometimes I really enjoy when the movie is far more superior to the source material itself. That is precisely the case with William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist. For that I will give it 🌟🌟🌟 1/2 stars since without it there would not have been the chilling adaptation to the silver screen.

For years the on screen version of the exorcist has quite simply been my favourite horror film of all time. As a fan of Stephen King I've loved some of his on screen adaptations down the years such as The Shining, Misery and most recently It. But the Exorcist has always been ahead of all of those as far as films go. As a result I've always left the book alone for fear of it ruining my thoughts on the film (stupid i know). But now having read the book all I can really say is that as good as the film was, the book is indeed far better. In fact it is for me greatest Horror book I've ever read and can only score 5 stars. William Peter Blatty was indeed a genius for the way he wrote this book and actually had me there in that room with Regan. The back and forth between her and Father Karras, whilst he determined whether she was truly possessed really did have the hairs on my arms stood on end.I have just purchased Legion by Blatty on the back of The Exorcist and how good it has been and although I will not go into it expecting anything as good (surely not?) I now also know how good he was at bringing that wonderfully haunting tale to life and I now look forward to being taken into the world and mind of the late, great William Peter Blatty once more.

Everyone has heard of the exorcist due to the infamous film which is based on this book. As someone who was brought up Catholic, the exorcist film and book was always something slightly taboo. So it became something of a mission to finally read and see these classics.The film and book remain powerful and disturbing, if not as scary as when they were first released and the film is near identical to the book. But within the pages of the book lie more depth in the characters and emotions. The exorcist, the book anyway is timeless and has much more depth than the movie, it does live up to the hype rewarding your intelligence as well as disturbing you when it needs to. This book does get very dark at times.So it you are up for it, curl up on a cold winter's night with plenty pea soup. The exorcist is waiting

Only ever having watched the 1973 movie and never having read the book, I decided it was high time to put this right. The Exorcist became my Halloween read of 2018.I was fully prepared to be terror-stricken and chilled to the bone but, to be brutally honest, it fell short in the 'scary' stakes. Although an excellent read and one I very much enjoyed, I've been spoiled by the movie's special effects. It was these that had me truly terrified. Had I read the book before seeing the movie, I'm sure it would be a whole different kettle of fish.Written an amazing 47 years ago, it really does stand up to the test of time. I appreciate it for what it is - a classic work of horror; an extremely accomplished novel that continues to be as popular today as it was back then.

It begins with noises in the attic, strange odours, a sickly child. Then the bed starts jumping around, furniture moves by itself and a man is found dead with his head turned completely around. Movie actor Chris MacNeil is concerned for her daughter - eleven-year-old Regan - but doctors are stumped. With the only explanations calling for more and more tests, Chris seeks help from elsewhere. Jesuit priest Father Damien Karras, wonders if the child is possessed by a demon, but the priest’s own self-doubt haunts him and the death of his mother does nothing to ease his concern.First published in 1971, The Exorcist is probably best known as one of the most shocking films ever made, and having seen the movie countless times, I'd say it still stands up well as a horror film. The book, though, is a different matter. This edition is the updated one, with new dialogue, and a text that has been tightened up and improved. Well, that’s a matter of opinion. I’d expected to be wowed, so was a little disappointed to find that even in this updated version, the writing is merely average. With way too many adverbs and countless exclamation marks, it got a bit tedious at times. Luckily, the one thing going for it is that underneath it all there’s a great story.Reading this on long dark nights didn’t scare me at all and it’s perhaps a mark of the times we live in that horror novels these days require a skilled author to create scenes that will genuinely shock readers.This book may be a classic, but I reckon Stevie King is still streets ahead in the realm of creating proper scary stuff.

A horror story that continues to stand the test of time. Even if you’ve seen the film and know the plot, this book is a terrifyingly good read, taking you into dark areas of satanic practice and religion. The characters are so well defined, Lieutenant Kinderman in particular has a gem of a role as the police officer who likes to portray an image of bumbling but is completely ‘on the ball’. And then there’s Regan.... Brilliant!