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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I truly thought I was going to hate this book, but boy am I glad to be proven wrong. There's nothing scarier to me than demonic possession. The Exorcist film has terrified me since I was a kid and growing up Catholic and in DC (where the film is set) only added to my fears. So, for years I have seen this book sitting on the horror recommendations table at my local bookstore and passed on it time and time again. Why? Because I was positive it would scare the hell out of me. Guess what? It did.
Three factors contributed to me finally picking this novel up and reading it. First, I read Paul Tremblay's A Head Full of Ghosts, which is also an exorcism story (sort of), and loved it. Second, I read Hendrix's latest novel The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires and realized I really liked Hendrix's writing style and tone. And finally, I saw so many positive reviews from readers I respect concerning this novel, so I took the plunge and let myself get terrified.
However, My Best Friend's Exorcism presents a different kind of terror, the type of terror you only can fully experience in elementary school, middle school or high school. It's the terror of needing to fit in, being surrounded by catty girls who put themselves and their reputations before their friendships, losing your best friend to the popular crowd, and all the pressures of growing up. Now add a demon, the Charleston suburbs, and all the hits of the 1980s and you've got one hell of a joyride.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
I don't want to fully dive into the plot in this review because if you haven't read this book, stop right here and go read it, and if you have read this book, then you already know what happens. What I want to talk about is how amazing the ending is. While Hendrix did, in a way, wrap the story up in a neat little bow, there was something so tragic and real about how Gretchen and Abby slowly faded away over time as life went on and they grew older. For me at least, this was the hardest part of the novel to read because I wanted so badly for them to stay close friends forever, but as any adult knows, that's generally not the case. Life marches on and your best friend from middle school can't always go with you. I loved that Gretchen was there for Abby at the end, just as Abby had been there during Gretchen's greatest time of need, which showed how pure and deep their friendship was. They were both there when it mattered most, and Gretchen finally returned the favor for everything Abby did for her back in 1988.
This is how you write friendship. This was believable and tangible and relatable, and this is why this book gets 5 stars whereas The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires only got 4 stars. I had a serious issue with Hendrix writing from the female perspective in the latter novel, as I felt he portrayed all women as weak, dependent characters, yet in My Best Friend's Exorcism he was able to convincingly depict interactions and relationships among teenage girls effortlessly and in a way I feel most teenagers have experienced.
My Best Friend's Exorcism is a true romp down nostalgia lane. It's eerie, it's humorous, it's unique. But at the end of the day, it's just another way to tell a coming-of-age story we've all grown up with. This book will scare you far beyond demons and the supernatural. It will scare you because what isn't supernatural is sometimes just as frightening as what is.
Three factors contributed to me finally picking this novel up and reading it. First, I read Paul Tremblay's A Head Full of Ghosts, which is also an exorcism story (sort of), and loved it. Second, I read Hendrix's latest novel The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires and realized I really liked Hendrix's writing style and tone. And finally, I saw so many positive reviews from readers I respect concerning this novel, so I took the plunge and let myself get terrified.
However, My Best Friend's Exorcism presents a different kind of terror, the type of terror you only can fully experience in elementary school, middle school or high school. It's the terror of needing to fit in, being surrounded by catty girls who put themselves and their reputations before their friendships, losing your best friend to the popular crowd, and all the pressures of growing up. Now add a demon, the Charleston suburbs, and all the hits of the 1980s and you've got one hell of a joyride.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
I don't want to fully dive into the plot in this review because if you haven't read this book, stop right here and go read it, and if you have read this book, then you already know what happens. What I want to talk about is how amazing the ending is. While Hendrix did, in a way, wrap the story up in a neat little bow, there was something so tragic and real about how Gretchen and Abby slowly faded away over time as life went on and they grew older. For me at least, this was the hardest part of the novel to read because I wanted so badly for them to stay close friends forever, but as any adult knows, that's generally not the case. Life marches on and your best friend from middle school can't always go with you. I loved that Gretchen was there for Abby at the end, just as Abby had been there during Gretchen's greatest time of need, which showed how pure and deep their friendship was. They were both there when it mattered most, and Gretchen finally returned the favor for everything Abby did for her back in 1988.
This is how you write friendship. This was believable and tangible and relatable, and this is why this book gets 5 stars whereas The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires only got 4 stars. I had a serious issue with Hendrix writing from the female perspective in the latter novel, as I felt he portrayed all women as weak, dependent characters, yet in My Best Friend's Exorcism he was able to convincingly depict interactions and relationships among teenage girls effortlessly and in a way I feel most teenagers have experienced.
My Best Friend's Exorcism is a true romp down nostalgia lane. It's eerie, it's humorous, it's unique. But at the end of the day, it's just another way to tell a coming-of-age story we've all grown up with. This book will scare you far beyond demons and the supernatural. It will scare you because what isn't supernatural is sometimes just as frightening as what is.
Super fun twist on classic horror. So 80s, so fun, and a great ending.
2.5
I genuinely enjoyed the first half or maybe even 2/3 of the book, the last part was just a slippery slope spiraling for me.
I think this would have been so much better as a psychological thriller with Gretchen denying what mc believes at first is the truth. Everyone gaslighting each other and plainly refusing to accept the truth or trying to brush it under the rug. That is done to some extend with the story when it comes to the MC trying to bring everything up and everyone thinks her to be the problem.
It could also have worked with Gretchen having become a true manipulating psychopath. Basically the paranormal part didn't work out for me in the end at all.
I also didn't mind the aged descriptions you no longer would use today, for me it definitely painted the setting of a story happening in the late 80's. So for me that concept worked but I understand why for some it might not at all. Personally the AIDS thing irked me the most while listening to this story. But again it did paint the sad picture how the 80's were on that topic and that should not be forgotten. Likewise the other outdated terms. Thankfully we have evolved a bit further than that as society since then. That said, had the story taken place today/more recent, I wholeheartedly agree they are outdated and have no place.
Also, I enjoyed the cheesy gimmick with the chapter names!
I genuinely enjoyed the first half or maybe even 2/3 of the book, the last part was just a slippery slope spiraling for me.
I think this would have been so much better as a psychological thriller with Gretchen denying what mc believes at first is the truth. Everyone gaslighting each other and plainly refusing to accept the truth or trying to brush it under the rug. That is done to some extend with the story when it comes to the MC trying to bring everything up and everyone thinks her to be the problem.
It could also have worked with Gretchen having become a true manipulating psychopath. Basically the paranormal part didn't work out for me in the end at all.
I also didn't mind the aged descriptions you no longer would use today, for me it definitely painted the setting of a story happening in the late 80's. So for me that concept worked but I understand why for some it might not at all. Personally the AIDS thing irked me the most while listening to this story. But again it did paint the sad picture how the 80's were on that topic and that should not be forgotten. Likewise the other outdated terms. Thankfully we have evolved a bit further than that as society since then. That said, had the story taken place today/more recent, I wholeheartedly agree they are outdated and have no place.
Also, I enjoyed the cheesy gimmick with the chapter names!
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Continuing my new love of horror novels, I tried out My Best Friend's Exorcism, not expecting much. The 1980s feel and culture was strong in this novel, and this added a little fun along with the terror of a possessed best friend.
The horror was there, but with a little humor that made it readable and entertaining. While I wouldn't say the plot was anything new, Hendrix still has a way of making it memorable. The friendship was also great- I'm totally digging the friends who will do anything for each other.
The writing was rambunctious- a mix of black comedy and yet still has the ability to create a tension and pull the reader along.
Super fun!
The horror was there, but with a little humor that made it readable and entertaining. While I wouldn't say the plot was anything new, Hendrix still has a way of making it memorable. The friendship was also great- I'm totally digging the friends who will do anything for each other.
The writing was rambunctious- a mix of black comedy and yet still has the ability to create a tension and pull the reader along.
Super fun!
I ended up enjoying this a lot more than I expected! This book was exactly what I wanted it to be, it wasn't scary but could be gory and disturbing at times. One thing I really loved about this book was the chapter headings were all song titles. This really added a lot to my experience of reading the book. I think this book does a really good job of showing what it was like to be a teenager in the 80's. It seems like schools then were very hard on kids and didn't really help them. This book was about a girl being possessed and her friend helping her. Abby and Gretchen's friendship was pretty great even if they did have their differences. It truly stood the test of time. Abby was willing to do anything for her friend even when she really shouldn't have. I did like that the supernatural and religious elements were there but they weren't really weird and stupid that it ruined the book. I'm not always a huge fan of supernatural thrillers but this one felt a lot more realistic.
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5 because of the ending!
I did enjoy the jokes and the vibes of this book a fair amount! But the story his held back a bit by needing to stick to the tropes of an exorcism story. Y’know asking for help and then deciding not to use it yet and the like.
BUT! The ending clutched this book out so hard! So many exorcism stories make it feel like nothing is real except the demon or whatever. But in this one, I questioned the demon the whole time and I was so impressed by how all the actions taken by the ‘possessed’ and the people around them have real life consequences. People don’t just believe you or forget when it’s over. And my favorite part was definitely seeing the fallout after the climax.
I’ll give this author another shot for sure!
I did enjoy the jokes and the vibes of this book a fair amount! But the story his held back a bit by needing to stick to the tropes of an exorcism story. Y’know asking for help and then deciding not to use it yet and the like.
BUT! The ending clutched this book out so hard! So many exorcism stories make it feel like nothing is real except the demon or whatever. But in this one, I questioned the demon the whole time and I was so impressed by how all the actions taken by the ‘possessed’ and the people around them have real life consequences. People don’t just believe you or forget when it’s over. And my favorite part was definitely seeing the fallout after the climax.
I’ll give this author another shot for sure!
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character