The Exorcist

A Novel

"A horror story for all midnights." —The Boston Globe

“Read the book. It's an experience you will never forget.”—St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The phenomenal #1 bestseller that inspired the classic motion picture, which remains the most terrifying and unforgettable horror novel ever written.

Originally published in 1971, The Exorcist is a bestselling literary phenomenon and remains one of the most frightening and controversial novels ever written.

Based on true events of a child’s demonic possession in the 1940s, The Exorcist tells the story of eleven-year-old Regan MacNeil and her mother Chris, a famous actress and doting mother. When Regan’s personality unexpectedly shifts and she starts exhibiting disturbing, often violent behavior, her desperate mother is driven to seek help from two Catholic priests, men who will risk everything—including their own souls— to free the girl from the ancient malevolent force possessing her.

Purposefully raw and profane, this novel still has the extraordinary ability to shock readers and cause them to forget that it is “just a story.” More than fifty years after its initial publication, The Exorcist remains a truly unforgettable reading experience.

Wow! Who knew?

I'd never read the book -- I did see the film, of course, but now, decades later, I remembered only two scenes, probably the same ones you remember. But this is a fine novel by any standard -- much more complex and nuanced that I ever expected. Back then, I guess I was too engrossed in the green puke and turning heads to realize that there was a real story here, and a good one. The struggles of Father Damien are really touching. Quite a story.

But really, what made this book among my favorites -- and yes, I will listen to this one again -- is the author's narration. I actually had to go look, to see if William Peter Blatty had acting experience in his background -- and no, apparently not, but wow. He's seriously talented -- famed as a scriptwriter, director and novelist, but apparently he stayed on the other side of the camera. But Blatty as narrator is absolutely excellent -- one of the best narrations of anything I've ever heard. He manages the Irish brogues, the Brooklyn cant, the whole panoply of DC accents with aplomb, worth a listen for that alone, see how a master really interprets a novel. The whole thing, every scene, just comes alive.

Not to be missed, this one.

Worth the dowload

Overall, I thought this was a great download. I tried to read the original, and thought it was a little slow after seeing the movie and being terrified. This audio version solved that. William Peter Blatty does a fantastic job! I agree with the other reviewer that his voice is made for narration. I too am leery of any author who reads their own work, but I can't imagine a better narrator.

I was a little confused with the addition of the little girl voice three-quarters of the way through the book. It was disconcerting to hear after we have been hearing Blatty's voice for so long, but it really didn't make much sense to me since Blatty also does Regan's voice before the possession so suddenly hearing her as a little girl seemed unnecessary.

Overall, a creepy, great autumn listen!

very different from movie

the book is very different than the movie and that is a good thing because I think the focus on Father Damien shows a genuine struggle for faith.
In examining Regan he exhaust all scientific possibilities.

Legendary!!!

What did you love best about The Exorcist?

The depth of character development, the symbolism of inner struggles with doubt (all kinds of doubt, not just faith), the amazing blossoming of the story, and the performance of William Blatty. It's all so good, there is no way to decide what is 'best'. I loved it all!

Which character – as performed by William Peter Blatty and Eliana Shaskan – was your favorite?

All of them! William Blatty is simply the best! His voice is rich & dark - perfect match to the story - but he somehow is able to pull off the voices of all characters believably! A true actor in every regard!

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this to everyone age 18 and up. Much more going on in this book than the obvious. A true classic - the book that sets the standards sky-high for the horror genera.

Not just a horror story...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The Exorcist is a classic movie that follows this book fairly closely. What you don't get in the movie is the human struggle and the interesting historical facts behind "possession" vs. "mental illness" that the author spends a good bit of time on. The author does a great job reading his own work. Really, the Exorcist does not seem to be about a girl being possessed by a demon; rather, it seems to be a story about a struggling priest's fight with his lost faith and his eventual salvation.