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Summary: One of the greatest books of the 20th century
Review: Of course "The Exorcist" is one of the finest horror novels of all time. But, like "Frankenstein," it's one of the very few horror stories that has transcended the genre, and has deeply influenced the culture that read it.For me, this was a life-changing book -- not immediately, but in long term, by planting ideas. Like Chris MacNeil and Father Karras, I didn't come to The Exorcist with religious beliefs. William Peter Blatty's special talent is not that he takes the reader so deeply into the heart of evil; lots of horror writers do that. What Blatty does, as he forces us confront Evil as a personified, immediate power in the novel, is to make us recognize that there really may be forces of Evil in the world. And if Evil can enter lives in an immediately personal way -- whether literally as a demon, or metaphorically as the hellish problems that so many adolescents face -- so can Good, and so can God. "The Exorcist" is a wonderful thriller, a great page-turner, and the inspiration for a superb movie. Even so, all the literary craft is merely a ruse for author's purpose of luring the reader into something much more important. As with "Lord of the Rings", the author's outer creation is an outstanding work of fiction. The inner creation, meanwhile, is a signpost to a new reality.
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Summary: Don't read this before going to bed.....
Review: I've read this book at least 5 times, and seen the movie maybe 100 times, and I never get sick of either one. I never get tired of being scared...and this book IS scary. For those that don't know, The Exorcist is the story of Regan MacNeil, the 12 year old daughter of actress Chris MacNeil, and the nightmarish ordeal of demonic possession that they must endure. The book builds slowly, allowing you to get to know the characters, but never lets it's relentless pace falter; Blatty uses some razor-sharp prose, and some amazing psychological and theological viewpoints, to carry the reader along to the riveting conclusion. Blatty also creates some truly unforgettable characters, such as Father Merrin, the aged Exorcist who is drawn into battle once more with his implacable enemy, Pazuzu, and Detective Kinderman, who is, for my money, the coolest fictional detective since Sherlock Holmes.
If you want a truly well written thriller, give The Exorcist a try.
Rating:
Summary: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! The novel and the film are both great!
Review: I'm so sick of reading these reviews stating that this novel is "way better than the film." That is ridiculous! How can you compare this novel to its film counterpart? They are both masterpieces but comparing them is inplausable. This novel is excellent; it has a lot the film doesn't have...BUT THAT'S A GOOD THING! If the film was an EXACT duplicate of the novel, it would STINK! Here's what I think: SEE the film, if you have any questions about it, READ this novel!
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous
Review: Possibly the best horror book in the world, even better then Stephen King's IT, but not as good as The Stand. The Exorcist is immensley scary, every aspect of it sends shivers down your spine. The ending is a little confusing, but once you're explaiend what happens, then it make sense. But overall, this is a great book with few flaws.
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Summary: The Exorcist Written Versus Film
Review: First off, the book is so much better than the film. From the first page to the last, Blatty creates a story with religious as well as horrific overtures. The three hundred something odd pages could easily have been longer, simply because the book is a fast read. I found the conflict between Father Carras and his faith the most interesting of the overlapping plots of the novel. The demon who somehow possesses a child(named Regan) isn't explained very well, but that is the point. The book deals more with the reaction to Regan's "transformation" than to explaining how the evil spirit came into her. In that sense the book is similar to Kafka's "The Metamorphasis". Overall this book is an amazing experience. Beyond a simple frightening tale, the book examines religion and discusses myths within the Catholic church. A great read.
Rating: 
Summary: Reads like an overlong screenplay.
Review: Well, I guess this will be an unpopular review, based on the opinions I see here praising the book, but here goes: The story is superb of course, and is absolutely a classic of horror, but the writing style STINKS. There is absolutely no detail in most of the "scenes," and it reads like a movie screenplay, or even a short movie treatment. It's just too shallow in its narrative; too film-like. Knowing that Blatty writes primarily for the screen, this is not surprising. I can't even call it a novel - it's just not well written as a novel at all. There is no character development, and I feel like I'm looking at the characters through glass. You can't get to know them through the book at all. I love well-written literature, but with this classic story, I must advise that you do yourself a favor and just see the movie.
Rating:
Summary: I haven't read it yet but...
Review: ...I plan to soon. If the novel is even close to being as glorious as the film was, then this should be a heck of a novel! I wanted to check it out at the library recently but my mother wouldn't let me (*sigh* parents...). I don't think that this novel is better than the movie (the film is superior to all film) but I'll have to read it someday, and soon. Bye.
Rating:
Summary: Slightly Better than the Movie
Review: A study in demonic possession is not a popular topic in too many circles, however, it still comes up from time to time in spiritual psychology. Upon doing my own research of what 'exactly' demonic possession is, 'The Exorcist' is certainly a must, no matter how exploited and distorted the matter has become. William Peter Blatty's book 'The Exorcist' stands as a compentent study of demonic possession in modern times told in story format. The crisis of Regan and her spiritual turmoil she will endeavor by the demon known as 'nowonami'. Yes, this is the backwards English she began to speak, however, in light of modern psychology, it is quite revealing about ones internal state as well as the perceptions one has of themself. The book is an easy read, and for the enthusiastic, you will go through it like a flip book. It would be difficult not to comment on the impression the film has made upon America minds, as one reads the book, one can picture so vividly the different scenes from the film. The film captures the book quite well and almost verbatim where the lines even become recognizable. Again, the only aspect of the book that was not captured in the film was the psychological end, which is too bad in some ways because now, for those who dont like to read, are left with a startling image with no 'intellectual reasoning' about what possession truly is (or might be). That is to say, they are left with feelings of 'I hope that does not happen to me', or 'I believe in God, so it wont happen to me', etc, etc. This is not to say the book is any less startling because of the intellectual content, but rather, because there is no definition of possession, the movie watcher is left with the belief that it is all based on supernatural powers of the devil and/or demons. The majority of the studies given within the framework of the story are legitimate and you can look them up in libraries and find them, which made this book so appealing to me. The story is told well, with well-defined and likable characters with some profound dialogue amongst the priests. My own understanding of demonic possession is not one displayed in this book where I felt it was probably over the top (I imagine for dramatic purposes). Nonetheless and great read and informative, I highly reccomend this novel as a great work of fiction in the last thirty years. If you have seen the movie and are willing to endure the cycle again, you will be thrilled you did. The movie, by and large, would be easier to sit through because the imagination is certainly more powerful than anything that can be projected onto a screen.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent--what else can describe it?
Review: This engrossing--albeit highly disturbing--fictional account of an 11-year-old girl's possession by the "devil" sticks with the reader forever. Based on an actual exorcism case from the 1940's, it describes in detail the stages of possession and the Catholic exorcism ritual. And it is much better than the film, although the film is great as well.
Rating:
Summary: Frightening
Review: Before I read the book, I saw the movie. I was quite convinced that nothing could really top the movie, and that this would simply be one of those few times when the movie is better than the book. I was wrong. Though I cannot assuredly say that I enjoyed the book more than the movie, I certainly enjoyed it as much. The book contains a few things in it that clarify what the movie left out. The book also does a better job of transforming Reagan. There is (as there will be in books) more character depth for all of the characters... If you're new to the genre of horror, or if you've just missed out on this classic, I highly recommend your reading it.
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