Originally published in 1971, The Exorcist, one of the most controversial novels ever written, went on to become a literary phenomenon: It spent fifty-seven weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, seventeen consecutively at number one. Inspired by a true story of a child’s demonic possession in the 1940s, William Peter Blatty created an iconic novel that focuses on Regan, the eleven-year-old … Regan, the eleven-year-old daughter of a movie actress residing in Washington, D.C. A small group of overwhelmed yet determined individuals must rescue Regan from her unspeakable fate, and the drama that ensues is gripping and unfailingly terrifying.
Two years after its publication, The Exorcist was, of course, turned into a wildly popular motion picture, garnering ten Academy Award nominations. On opening day of the film, lines of the novel’s fans stretched around city blocks. In Chicago, frustrated moviegoers used a battering ram to gain entry through the double side doors of a theater. In Kansas City, police used tear gas to disperse an impatient crowd who tried to force their way into a cinema. The three major television networks carried footage of these events; CBS’s Walter Cronkite devoted almost ten minutes to the story. The Exorcist was, and is, more than just a novel and a film: it is a true landmark.
Purposefully raw and profane, The Exorcist still has the extraordinary ability to disturb readers and cause them to forget that it is “just a story.” Published here in this beautiful fortieth anniversary edition, it remains an unforgettable reading experience and will continue to shock and frighten a new generation of readers.
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I was rather young when I read this book. I slept with a light on for weeks after reading it and I would always look under the bed before climbing in at night.
Read this book when I was 18 and OMG!?! I was so freaked out, I would hear things go bump in the night! I swear! It was freaking scary to read. Seen the movie, but the book is so way much better! Like, No Joke! You get so involved that you actually get sucked into the room with what’s going on with the little girl, the family, and the priests trying to just get to the point where this thing is no longer around. Don’t have enough superlatives to give this review more justice. Read the book at your own risk; just saying. #HappyReading ;-D
Amazingly scary – I kept waiting for MY dresser drawers to fly open!!
Great book!
I was not happy with the ending.
Better than the movie
This is one of the scariest books that I have ever read. If you don’t believe in satan before you read it, you will after.
Still a magnificent piece of writing after all these years.
Scared the crap out of me. Had to sleep with the lights on for a long time.
Classical book to read. Better than watching the movie.
Better than the movie
The power of Christ compels you to read this.
Another classic.
You think you know The Exorcist because of the movie…well, you don’t! You should do yourself a favor a read this book—with the lights on!
Scary
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty 1971
Two priests attempt to exorcise a demon from the 12 year old daughter of a famous actress.
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2017/11/horror-fiction.html
The Exorcist
A classic in horror and supernatural fiction. I loved it.
One of the few books that actually scared me while I was reading it.
This was a pretty good horror story. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to read some classic horror.
One of the most frightening books I’ve ever read!