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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Popsugar 38/50: a book that inspired a common phrase or idiom. I may be reaching with this one, but it was a hard
Prompt to fulfill when I’ve already read all the obvious ones. So I’m going with, “it’s an excellent day for an exorcism”. This book was recommended to me and I was weary. I’ve seen the movie, of course. Yes, it’s disturbing, but it’s very well written. The audio version is narrated by the author which I think added to my enjoyment. The demon’s voice scared my dog, though...
Prompt to fulfill when I’ve already read all the obvious ones. So I’m going with, “it’s an excellent day for an exorcism”. This book was recommended to me and I was weary. I’ve seen the movie, of course. Yes, it’s disturbing, but it’s very well written. The audio version is narrated by the author which I think added to my enjoyment. The demon’s voice scared my dog, though...
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A true horror classic that probably needs no introduction. The Exorcist is a slow build up to a rapid and dramatic conclusion. All the character and world building is so important to understand the real impact of everything that happens during the exorcism and Blatty does it all without ever becoming boring.
This book had a dramatic impact on the real world too. As Blatty takes pains to point out throughout, Catholics weren't big into exorcism at the time and it was almost unheard of in Protestantism. But following the book and the film, everyone became obsessed which led to figures like the Warrens (of The Counjuring fame), who's first paranomral investigation of a "demonic possession" rather than ghosts and haunted dolls didn't happen until 4 years after the film came out, and others offering non-Catholic alternatives. I don't think there are many novels that can claim that level of impact.
This book had a dramatic impact on the real world too. As Blatty takes pains to point out throughout, Catholics weren't big into exorcism at the time and it was almost unheard of in Protestantism. But following the book and the film, everyone became obsessed which led to figures like the Warrens (of The Counjuring fame), who's first paranomral investigation of a "demonic possession" rather than ghosts and haunted dolls didn't happen until 4 years after the film came out, and others offering non-Catholic alternatives. I don't think there are many novels that can claim that level of impact.
Not what you would expect
If you haven't read the book, read it. Read it. Just do it. Trust me. Even if you think you know you know what it's about it, just read it. You'll be suprised. Now get outta here!
If you haven't read the book, read it. Read it. Just do it. Trust me. Even if you think you know you know what it's about it, just read it. You'll be suprised. Now get outta here!
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As a horror lover, I felt the need to add this classic to my "read" list. The first half of the book is quite slow and didn't really capture me. We start by meeting successful actress Chris, and her 11 year old daughter Reagan. I appreciated the author taking the time to characterize Reagan as a sweet loving little girl and portraying her mother's love for her. While most of this was told to us and not shown, it does make what follows more shocking. Reagan's symptoms worsen and culminate with her urinating in from of all her mother's party guests. Chris uses her money and influence to access all the doctors and test to try and help her daughter, but it is frustratingly unsucessful. I enjoyed the battle of scientific/logical explanations versus those that are paramoral and faith based. Things don't really pick up until the story shifts to Father Karras, who as a physchiatrist who is struggling with his own faltering faith - embodies this battle in one character. Karras attempts to collect evidence to request an exorcism from the church. This section dragged a bit and was a bit unbelievable to me. Based on the severity of the symptoms we've seen described, I don't see how any doctor or priest could doubt the reality of her condition. Things really pick up when Father Merrin is brought in to perform the exorcism. While the prose throughout was very straightforward and generally unemotional, I was captured by the atmosphere described in this section of the book. Perhaps my favorite moment is the conversation between Karras and Merrin about possession and humanity. Overall, I can see why this book had such an impact of horror. It was shocking, thought provoking, and tapped into very visceral fears and emotions.
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced