The Exorcist: A Novel

William Peter Blatty

Oct 2011 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

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

Inspired by the shockingly true story of a child’s demonic possession in the 1940s, William Peter Blatty's iconic novel focuses on Regan, the eleven-year-old daughter of a movie actress residing in Washington, D.C. When sweet Regan's behavior turns sinister, a small group of overwhelmed yet determined individuals take it upon themselves to rescue the poor girl from her unspeakable fate. Timeless and terrifying, The Exorcist is a story that has gripped the public zeitgeist for more than half a century.

Originally published in 1971, it remains one of the most controversial novels ever written. A literary phenomenon soon after its release, it spent fifty-seven weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, seventeen consecutively at number one. It also became a wildly popular motion picture, garnering ten Academy Award nominations. On the opening day of the film, lines of 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, and 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 of American culture. . . and a reflection of our innermost fears.

Purposefully raw and profane, The Exorcist continues to engross and disturb readers. It remains an unforgettable reading experience that will continue to shock and frighten new generations of readers.

Ratings and reviews

A pretty great read; though there is some structural weakness, there's the occasional bit of true mastery in writing, and it often makes you stop and think. It's enjoyable to compare to the film, too, but the book trumps the film in depth and character development.

Having seen the movie first, I didn't realize it was adapted from a novel. After finally reading the book, I must honestly say, I still prefer the movie over the book. The novel still gave me chills when reading the interactions between the demon and Karras but the haunting imagery of the movie still sticks with me to this day. Still an enjoyable read.

I love all things paranormal, and this book didn't disappoint. I couldn't put it down. I will say that the writing was hard to follow at times, but overall, I really enjoyed it.

About the author

William Peter Blatty (1928-2017) was the bestselling author of The Exorcist, which he turned into an Academy Award–winning screenplay. The son of immigrant parents, he was a comic novelist before embarking on a four-decade career as a successful Hollywood writer. Blatty died on January 12, 2017, in Bethesda, Maryland.