Rating: 
Summary: A chilling, thought provoking classic
Review: Every generation or so a new novel comes along that shakes the western soul to its very foundations. For the baby boomers who were coming of age in the 60s and 70s, this novel was The Exorcist. The book's success (critically and commercially) can perhaps be linked to factors that have more to do with a generation's disillusionment than the shocking novelty of Regan's demonic curses...why did the occult phenomenon explode in the 60s? Because, for the first time since antiquity, large numbers of people in the West were beginning to doubt the existence of the Judeo-Christian deity (and because we live in a free society, they weren't afraid to talk about it). One of these doubters was William Peter Blatty himself...oh, he wanted to believe (and had an interest in joining the Jesuits, like his alter-ego Karras), but the atrocities of the world around him made him feel otherwise; how can God exist when the innocent are murdered and the wicked reign supreme? So he wanted to yell "Show Yourself!" to the Deity in the hopes that his crisis of faith would be alleviated. And then he heard about an authentic case of demonic possession and the wheels in his head started turning...the result was a novel about a priest who loses his faith and then regains it the hard way: the point of the novel is this...IF DEMONS EXIST, THEN GOD EXISTS ALSO. Perhaps that's why Karras has such a serene look on his face as he lyes bleeding to death at the foot of those steps in Georgetown...the Demon, in an attempt to make its witnesses feel "dirty and unworthy of God's love" (to quote a line from Merrin that was curiously left out of the film version's first cut), ends up restoring the dying priest's faith in the creator. How did Blatty himself resolve the crisis of faith? It all boiled down to the fact that human beings are also capable of great and selfless acts of good that are often driven by motives that are just as inexplicable as those that drive the worst human atrocities (Blatty's favorite example is the soldier who throws himself on a grenade to save the lives of his companions)...is this spirit of humanity God himself? Makes you wonder.But all philosophy (and theology) aside, the Exorcist is still a damn good horror novel. It even makes a hardened cynic like me get chills up the spine during a late night read...was that bump in the night just the house settling or was it Pazuzu re-arranging shoes in my closet? I also recommend Blatty's "Demons Five, Exorcists Nothing", a sort of memoir of his experiences writing and formulating the novel (and the title sort of indicates that the author believes that most folks who have read the book or seen the movie missed the point and ONLY saw The Exorcist as a horror story).
Rating: 
Summary: Scratch the horror, find a moving tale
Review: I never saw the Exorcist until the rerelease this year. Up until then, I had been too nervous to see it, as stories of demonic posession always tended to creep me out and give me plenty of sleepless nights. I finally did see it, and I loved it. Naturally, I had to read the book. I think that one of the most extraordinary things about the movie and the book are the facets that tend to get overlooked when somebody discusses them, preferring instead to focus on unnatural sex with crucifixes and pea soup. First and foremost, this story is a moving testament of faith and redemption. Written as it was during the whole counterculutural era, values were being stood on end. This book reflects the confusion of Father Karras as he struggles with himself, and his faith, and ultimately comes to know peace through his rigourous ordeal with Pazuzu the demon. The book is even more touching than the film (although to its credit, the film follows the novel very closely), and the final moments with Father Karras being administered the last rites are especially powerful. Some may see this novel as being "anti-Church"... i see it as just the opposite (but then, you need not trust me, I also do not feel that Boys in the Band is an especially untruthful and bitter depiction of gay life in the 60's). This book, rather than distancing me from the church, drew me into its mysteries even more, a world where the sacred and the profane exist everywhere. This book skillfully portrays that, and I am grateful that it does. And yes, it's also full of enough chills to make you stay up at night (albeit gleefully) swearing you've heard a noise in the attic.
Rating:
Summary: TRULY FRIGHTENING
Review: THE EXORCIST, is one of the scariest books ever written. It's about a young girl named Regan MacNeill, who's strange behavior leads her family and doctors to belive she has been possesed with a demon. The book gets even scarier. It's wonderfully exiting, and very dramatic at points. An A+ book. Dont forget to check out the movie EXORCIST:THE VERSION YOU'VE NEVER SEEN starring Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller and Linda Blair as Regan. This film was nominated for 10 1976 Academy Awards.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Very Best Horror Novels Ever Written
Review: If you think the book isn't worth reading because your saw the movie on TV or in the theater way back when, you're wrong. This is a fabulous, intelligently written and truly scary book. And not surprisingly much more satisfying than the movie (itself pretty good) A thinking person's horror story. (There aren't too many out there.)
Rating:
Summary: Scare With Writing
Review: I thought this is the best written book I've ever read. It was already a scary story, but with the detail and great writing William uses makes it 10 times better. His great writing makes the story flow from one thing to the next very well. This book is soo much better than the movie. I read the book, then I saw the movie, the remake that was recently in the theaters, and the book is much better. It contains sooo many more things in the book, and gets the mood much better. The movie is very choppy, as the book isn't choppy at all. The book contains soo many more details, and other things that happen. It doesn't skip and leave things out. You'll notice these things straight from the beginning of the book. The book is as scary as a book can get. The movie of course is scary as they "Hollywoodise" it. I rated this book a 5 because Willam did a great job.
Rating:
Summary: true to life
Review: This book is based on an actual possession case of a 12 year old boy in Maryland. If anyone has studied Demonology, then this book pretty much follows the stages. From recognition and invitation, (using the ouija board, captian Howdey), to oppression, the bed shaking, banging in the walls, sound of bird wings fluttering, to the actual possession. Excellent read, I highly reccommend it. Another book titled "Possessed, The True Story Of An Excorcisim" by Thomas B Allen, is about the actual possession and excorcisim of the 12 year old boy in Maryland that the book and the movie "The Excorcist" is based on. This book is OOP, but can be found on E Bay auction. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: The movie was PERFECT! Hopefully the book will be the same.
Review: Ijust bought "The Exorcist" today. Let me tell you, I've already got chills! Just by the subtleness of the book makes me afraid of what will happen next. I saw the movie four days ago for the first in my life. The movie was just as I predicted it would be -- scary and very intriguing! From the way the movie got to me, it would say that it has not lost any of its punch in 1973, much less the book in 1971. William Peter Blatty is a very good storyteller in both the book and in the screenplay, winning a well-deserved Oscar for the adapted screenplay of his own book. Unfortunately, much of the first film's punch has diminished due to the lackluster sequels (i.e. "The Exorcist II: The Heretic" and "Exorcist III: Legion"). But Blatty and William Friedkin, the Oscar-winning director of the Oscar-winning "The French Connection," have made the impact of the book into an incredible film. Excellent are Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair as mother and daughter, Chris and Regan MacNeil. Jason Miller as the tormented Father Karras keeps and Max Von Sydow as Father Merrin keep the film together as the priests who exorcise poor Regan. Also, kudos to Lee J. Cobb in a small, but excellent role as Lt. Kinderman. Despite 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and only 2 wins (for Adapted Screenplay and Sound), "The Exorcist" remains as one of the best horror films ever! I hope to work with both Friedkin and Blatty on my films -- someday.
Rating:
Summary: underestimated
Review: Sometimes, the worst thing that can happen to a great book is to be made into a great movie. The Exorcist is a case in point. First, because the movie was well done and secondly, because it's visual pyrotechnics were so memorable, there is a danger that people will ignore the novel. This would be a great mistake. The Exorcist is not simply a horror novel, like all great horror stories (Frankenstein, Dracula, etc.) the supernatural happenings merely offer a way for the author to meditate upon greater issues. In memory, the movie may seem to be "about" Regan's possession by a demon; in fact, Blatty is telling a story about Father Damian's crisis of faith. Paradoxically, being forced to confront this great evil serves to restore Damian's faith in God. This is a great book (remarkably enough, it is based on actual incidents), don't miss it. GRADE: A+
Rating:
Summary: Hands down the most terrorifying novel you can read
Review: This novel was without a doubt truly terrorifying. Read it alone in some place that is inacessible and risk insanity! Just kidding. It does send chills up your spine and it has vivid descriptions that can't be put into a movie (without turning it into a miniseries!). What is truly disturbing is how author Blatty makes the impossible seem plausible. Great writing. If only he'd written more...
Rating:
Summary: brilliance at it's best
Review: this is one of the best books ever (if it isn't i'd be surprised), it is so captivating and intresting that i read it in a matter of two days. great, great book. i would suggest it to anyone who likes good books. brilliant.
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