The Exorcist

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Excellent
Review: I saw the film "The Exorcist" years ago, and found it wanting. Nonetheless, I did file away the book on my mental "must read" list. With interest in the original film renewed by the
prequel film, I figured now was as good a time as any to read it. I am quite pleased that I did.

The basic premise should be known to all. A young girl, Regan MacNeil, begins exhibiting horrifying behavior, and it is soon determined that she is possessed by a demon, and an exorcism takes place. What I found amazing about the novel is just how effective William Peter Blatty is in developing the course of plot. I knew what the ultimate story of the novel is, and yet I found myself on edge. The is due almost entirely do to Blatty's effective descriptions of Regan's behavior while possessed, which are grotesquely sexual in nature, as well as generally violent. Her conversations with the novel's main protagonist, Father Damien Karras, are also frighteningly vivid.

Another of the novel's great strengths is the development of its two main characters: Chris MacNeil, and Farther Karras. I found Chris initially to be a fairly unpleasant character when Blatty introduced her. She is demanding, controlling, and vaguely unhappy. Her only true seems joy to be her daughter. However, as the novel progresses, Chris engenders a great deal of sympathy, as her ordered world falls apart around her ears, and her daughter is victimized of something she cannot fight off through conventional means.

Likewise, Blatty's depiction of Karras is masterful, as we see a priest who understands the world too much, and as such, finds himself uncomfortable with his role of priest, but at the same time giving himself to the duty willingly. His ultimate fate is tragic, to say the least.

The novel is far from perfect. The dialogue at times does feel forced, and more suited to a screenplay. The character of Detective Kinderman is particularly hurt by this tendency. While it is his admitted style to come off as a goofball, there were many times I wondered if he'd just shut up and get to the point. There is a subplot involving the MacNeil household help which tends to be a red herring, as well as a commentary on society. Blatty doesn't fully succeed at either goal.

And the titular exorcist, Father Merrin, feels like a lost opportunity. I felt this way about the film, as well. Merrin's past is hinted at. Blatty acknowledges that Merrin has battled this particular demon before, but beyond that, we know nothing about the character. A little more depth would have gone a long way.

All in all, I enjoyed the novel, and I am particularly surprised at just HOW MUCH I enjoyed it. Now I think another viewing of the film is in order.

Rating:
Summary: Could not put it down...
Review: The Exorcist is a book that immediately captures your attention and then it will not let you go. The evil that Regan experiences is of the darkest kind, which terrifies most people. This book makes a person wonder about this world and what actually thrives in it that we can't see.

Wickedness has always been part of this world and I suppose it always will be. The Exorcist forces people to think about what they would do if the same frightening things started to happen to them.

Although some of the scenes were a bit graphic for me, overall the book makes its point loud and clear. Evil has absolutely no boundaries.