Scariest Re-Read: The Exorcist: 40th Anniversary Edition by William Peter Blatty
Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!
The Exorcist is written by William Peter Blatty, and it published by Harper Publishing. It tells the story of young Regan MacNeil, an twelve-year-old girl seemingly as ordinary as any girl her age. Her mother is a movie star filming her latest picture on location in Georgetown in Washington, D.C., where they now live. As weeks go by, Chris notices a considerable change in her daughter's behavior. The child is aggressive, uses foul language, and exhibits strength no child her age should have. When Regan's condition proves untreatable by doctors, Father Karras is called in to assess the girl's behavior by Chris.
He is convinced that her illness is psychological; what he finds is anything but. A cold and calculating entity has taken up residence in Regan, and is intent on not leaving, even if it has to kill her first. Karras puts his doubts reluctantly behind him and soon agrees an exorcism is needed. Regan's life hangs in the balance, as the malevolent entity plays a game of cat and mouse that can only end in death.
This updated version of the original novel is a bit meatier than its predecessor. I found that parts of the books were cleaned up and fleshed out better than the original version. Blatty describes the supernatural events in the book with a deliciously macabre narrative. But Blatty leaves Regan's appearance to our imagination rather than describe her too thoroughly. Kinderman was a favorite of mine as he huffed and puffed his way into the MacNeil's lives always distracted, always clever. His exchanges with the characters are at times hilarious, giving us a much-needed breather from the book's relentless display of suspense.
I read this in part with the audiobook presentation read by William Peter Blatty and Eliana Shaskan. Blatty read the bulk of the novel, obviously having fun reliving his tale. Shaskan was utilized as Regan's voice later in the novel as a contrast to what the girl sounded like before the possession. There is a point in the book where Blatty is narrating a scene where events unfold as Shaskan sings sweetly in the background as the demon allows Regan's voice to emerge. The combination was unsettling and added a third dimension to the scenes.
Part crime thriller part horror novel, I gave the Exorcist five stars. It toys with the reader, asking if what they believe can truly be solid enough to never be corrupted. With a strong theme of family and an even stronger theme of hope, Blatty wrote a novel that unravels the psyche. This is my annual spooky season re-read. It is a creepy addition to any Halloween TBR.
This updated version of the original novel is a bit meatier than its predecessor. I found that parts of the books were cleaned up and fleshed out better than the original version. Blatty describes the supernatural events in the book with a deliciously macabre narrative. But Blatty leaves Regan's appearance to our imagination rather than describe her too thoroughly. Kinderman was a favorite of mine as he huffed and puffed his way into the MacNeil's lives always distracted, always clever. His exchanges with the characters are at times hilarious, giving us a much-needed breather from the book's relentless display of suspense.
I read this in part with the audiobook presentation read by William Peter Blatty and Eliana Shaskan. Blatty read the bulk of the novel, obviously having fun reliving his tale. Shaskan was utilized as Regan's voice later in the novel as a contrast to what the girl sounded like before the possession. There is a point in the book where Blatty is narrating a scene where events unfold as Shaskan sings sweetly in the background as the demon allows Regan's voice to emerge. The combination was unsettling and added a third dimension to the scenes.
Part crime thriller part horror novel, I gave the Exorcist five stars. It toys with the reader, asking if what they believe can truly be solid enough to never be corrupted. With a strong theme of family and an even stronger theme of hope, Blatty wrote a novel that unravels the psyche. This is my annual spooky season re-read. It is a creepy addition to any Halloween TBR.
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