The Exorcist

Rating:
Summary: Not What You Think
Review: First, this is unquestionably the most terrifying book I have ever read. Secondly, many readers seem to enjoy the book but miss the point. I find it amusing that many hard-core Christian types are down on this book (i,e, it glorifies Satan, etc.), as that shows that they clearly do not know anything about it. The entire point of the book is that a priest, trained in the ways of science (he is a Psychiatrist) has through his pursuit of science lost his belief in God. His lack of faith in God brings with it a disbelief in the existance of Satan as well. When he is asked to see the possessed girl, Regan, it is as a priest, to confront what is clearly (to the mother) a case of demonic possession. Instead he approches the situation with his scientific rather than his spiritual training, and sees the girl as insane and thus treatable via science, rather than possessed. Even in the face of all evidence, he steadfastly refuses to admit that there is anything supernatural about the girl's condition, though science has so far failed miserably to treat the girl. We get insight into this when he arranges a exorcism (for cathartic, not spiritual, reasons) and interacts with a priest who is a believer, has performed exorcisms in the past, and is very respectful and afraid of the power of a very real Satan. At one point, the young priest discusses the possession of Regan, and tells the old priest that he cannot understand what Satan might stand to gain from harming an innocent girl. The old priest replies that in a possession it is not the possessed who is the target, but rather the persons around the possessed. Upon hearing that, and upon hearing some very personal attacks on the young priest by the possessed/insane Regan, it becomes obvious that the young priest is the target of Satan's attack, and the priest's lack of faith is what has made him a target. Later, after the death of the old priest, and upon the occurance of some shocking and blatantly supernatural occurances, the young priest comes to believe that the girl really is under possession by Satan. At that point, the logic is obvious. If Satan exists, then God must exist also, and this brings a sudden reawakening of the young priest's faith. This gives him the strength to spiritually combat Satan and defeat him, and thereby rescue the girl. So, the point is that the priest has lost his faith to science, and is not able to effectively counter Satan until his belief in God returns. Thus Heaven triumphs over Hell, and I really can't understand why this would be lost on the many naysayers who have tried to steer people from this shocking book. One wonders who is truly the pawn in the plot of this book; Regan, in Satan's attack on the young priest; or Satan himself, in some heavenly strategy to bring the priest back into the fold. Note that I have deliberately oversimplified the story line so as not to ruin the book for those who have yet to read it. Be forewarned that the book is complex, shocking, graphic (violence and perverse sexuality) and is terrifying, but you will not find a better horror novel anywhere. I can't recommend this book highly enough, but it is not for the faint hearted. I also find it noteworthy that after at least five reads of the book, I (a thirtyish man) still find it necessary to sleep with the light on for a few days after finishing the book

Rating:
Summary: IF YOU NEVER READ ANOTHER BOOK AGAIN, THIS IS THE ONE!
Review: William Peter Blatty, who had just finished writing comic screenplays for a living, wrote this horror classic in a cabin near Lake Tahoe. It is about Chris MacNeil, big actress and loving mother, and her daughter, Regan MacNeil. Then Regan begins showing signs of what, at first, the doctors think is a lesion on the brain, then they think that, after that fails, a psychiatrist will help. Nay, nay, nay. Nothing works until some one suggests, maybe if it is psychological, that an exorcism might "drive out" the "demon" in Regan psychologically. At first Chris is skeptical, then, after even stranger things begin to happen (stuff that can't be mentioned in this review) she realizes that she has to have an exorcism done on her daughter, for maybe it really isn't psychological. The final confrontation is horrorifying and skocking, but the climax is abolutely stunning. It will leave you TOTALLY breathless and quivering. When reading this book (which should, regardless of its 385 pages, take one sitting) I suggest cigarettes, lots of hot coffee, long fingernails, doors locked, lights on and a crucifix hanging around the neck, and maybe a bible nearby. An exceptional horror novel! Highly reccomended

Rating:
Summary: A Frightening, excellent piece of work!
Review: I have not seen the movie "The Exorcist" yet, but I enjoyed the book and hope the movie is just as good. I liked reading about how she was possesed by the devil because I have never read anything like it before. Everyone says the movie was excellent, so I'll have to see it soon. It was based on a true story, too which was interesting

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, highly recommended
Review: A powerful vision of what is God, the devil, and how do we as a people veiw such things as possession. Loved the characters. Pick up this book, it will change your perspections. for good.

Rating:
Summary: A Struggle Of Faith
Review: Inside this chest of supernatural wonders, lies a hidden, more refined meaning behind the word "faith." Lest I spoil the rest of the story for you, the reader, I would like to comment slightly on some of the many ambiguous meanings that are represented throughout. The author, Blatty, presents his crafted work in such a way to produce an outcrop of many possibilities-possibilities that leaves one with the thought of, "what is the true cause behind her possossion?" Maybe it lies within Psychiatry? The thought of hysteria and autosuggestion do sound plausible. Then we have the priest, who is fighting with his own guilt, faith, and mind of reason. Each character in this equivical story, represents a potential side of humanity. In each character we see a little of our own selves. But most importantly, the way Blatty presents the story in his own unique, horrific way, pleasing to the reader's mind, yet terryfing at the same time-harbouring in thoughts of contemplation in such a simple presentation-this is what makes it a enjoying, nightly read. It is well worth the green.

Rating:
Summary: Horror Classic Not To Be Missed
Review: William Peter Blatty's classic, later turned into a major hit movie,one of those "required" readings for fans of horror. This book did for demonic possession what Dracula did for vampires; it provided a very well written, very disturbing classic with memorable characters that brought a lot of recognition to an underexplored subgenre. The major reason this novel works so well is that Blatty makes you care about his characters: An actress mother who loves her daughter very much,a gold-hearted child who is possessed by a vile demon, a Jesuit Priest questioning his own faith (this idea didn't become a cliche until AFTER Blatty's book), and a fasinating old detective with health problems. This novel not only disturbed a generation, it disturbed the Vatican who deamed it very plausible and terrifying. What is the most desterbing, however, is that this book has somehow managed to go out of print. If Dracula, Frankenstein, and A Tale of Two Cities have managed to stay unhaultedly in print, why hasn't the Excorcist?

Rating:
Summary: Terrifying!!!!
Review: As horrifying as the film is, the novel surpasses it big time!
First of all, the film is very slow to take off with the frightening bits, and is boring for the first fifty minutes or so, but in the book - the eeriness starts instantly.

The characters are a lot more likeable in the book, and we see a lot more of the snooping detective - Kinderman.
Now, I'm an absolutely huge fan of King, and all the books I've read belonging to him have freaked me out in some way or gave me chills, or plainly stopped me from sleeping. But this book is so eerie, it's undescribable.

It's kind of like the eeriness starts your engine, and your warming up. And when you get to a more frightening scene of the book you feel like throwing it and never looking at it again.

Ah no, seriously, you wouldnt throw it away - but you would definitely think about it. It's a reasonably small book so you could read it in one night, but the eeriness and terrifying sequences have pushed me onto my fourth night of reading.

Truly, an excellent read, but one you wont read again for a long time after, unless that is; your made of stone!!!!! :-)

Rating:
Summary: An excellent & terrifying novel...
Review: I first read this book during my last year of college. I really became absorbed in it...I couldn't put the novel down for 3 consecutive days. Blatty presents various psychiatric & neurological conditions to explain the bizarre phenomena occurring within the MacNeil household...but at the end, the reader is forced to accept the concept of demonic possession. One of the most chilling sections in the novel occurs when Detective Kinderman tries to research Satanism...reading the description of satanic rituals/rites was quite disturbing for me...even at the age of 21 when maturity should temper shocking material. The rising tension & suspense created by the novel was great...and I certainly had some difficulty falling asleep during the 3-day span of time I spent in completing the book. Moreover, I kept pondering the themes of the book (the nature & existence of Evil) for a long while afterwards. The Exorcist galvanized me to explore the genre of the supernatural, the occult, & the dark aspect of the human experience. If anyone wants to chat about this book &/or related topics, feel free to send email to [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Terrifying
Review: The Exorcist

The Exorcist, by William Peter Batty, is a chilling experience which brings you closer into the
constant battle between good and evil. It focuses on the story of a young girl, Regan MacNiel,
who becomes possessed by the Arab demon of sickness, Pazuzu. It all starts when Regan begins
exhibiting strange behavior, such as cursing, laziness, and aggression. Things become worse as
time goes by. Regan develops monster like facial features and speaks in completely different
voices, almost as if she were a another person. Regan s mother, Chris, seeks help, but no doctor
can give any explanation. Meanwhile, Father Damien Karras begins questioning his own faith after
having his mother die. The exorcist tells the terrifying story of the struggle of good and evil and
the how Father Karras and Father Merrin fight to save the soul of this poor little girl. I would
suggest this books to fans of horror and suspense novels. On the other hand, would warn those
who have a weak stomach. "He hastened toward Mosul and his train, his heart encased in the icy conviction that soon he would face an ancient enemy."


Peter Blatty, William. The Exorcist. New York, NY: Harper and Row, Publishers, Inc., 1971.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Horror book I have ever read.
Review: I thought that The Exorcist was an great novel, that never failed to keep me on the edge of my seat. The creativity that Blatty uses to depict the terrifying phenomenom that young Regan is undergoing is extrodinary. I read the book twice just so I could pick up some of the details that i missed the first time through. The characters are also well created, Regan the young girl that is slowly turning into a monster, Father Karras a young man who's concious is tainted with the death of his mother, and Father Merrin a old man who is fighting a life long enemy.The Demon that has possesed Regan, Pazuzu. I thought this was a very well put together story that is a must read.