the exorcist by william peter blatty 1971

First off, this is an excellent production. This is probably the most terrifying book I've ever read, and I'm not even religious. It paints a portrait of a society on the brink of being at the mercy of pharmaceutical solutions. who have been unable to embrace faith or have lost it. who are terrified of messing our kids up. who realised their career choices were detrimental to our families. Ultimately it speaks all of us who have ever feared letting our loved ones down. Reagan bears the brunt of the demons fury, yet those surrounding her are already dead lost in their own private hell. William Peter Blatty has a cadence, gentle tone and understated emotion that contrasts deliciously with the guttural tones of the demon. Not normally a fan of authors reading their own books, I found the narration was a revelation. Though the movie is good, the frailty, shortcomings and fears are brought to life by the elegant writing that hints at the very divinity the characters are so desperate to find. This book is so much more than the possession storyline- that is almost incidental to the torture the adult characters subject themselves to. I have read this in print form years ago, and loved it.

Raw, chilling yet oddly moving and heartbreakingly human - a work of art

Freshly polished and expanded by the author, including new dialogue, a new character and a chilling new extended scene, this unique fortieth anniversary edition provides an unforgettable reading experience that has lost none of its power to shock - and is poised to terrify a new generation of readers. Is it possible that a demonic presence has possessed the child? Exorcism seems to be the only answer.įirst published in 1971, The Exorcist became a literary phenomenon and inspired one of the most shocking films ever made. Medical tests fail to shed any light on her symptoms, but it is as if a different personality has invaded her body.įather Damien Karras, a Jesuit priest, is called in. Then frightening changes begin to appear in eleven-year-old Regan. In the child's room, an odd smell, the displacement of furniture, an icy chill. Father Damien Karras: 'Where is Regan?' Regan MacNeil: 'In here.

The exorcist by william peter blatty 1971