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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
This was certainly not what I expected. I had heard that this was a terrifying horror novel, and there are certainly disturbing moments, but overall it reads more like a dark religious mystery. Perhaps the fear is just in the eye of the reader.
To be clear, I enjoyed the book. Blatty’s writing is very good, his language is evocative, and his character building is spot on. It is absolutely worth reading. But the tone is entirely different from the film version, so if that’s what you’re here for, be warned. Where the movie is dark and ominous and downright nihilistic at times, the book has a more grounded, realistic, and overall hopeful feel. While in the movie you know right away that supernatural forces are at play, Blatty still leaves room for interpretation well past the halfway mark. He spends a good chunk of the novel following Father Karras’ efforts to rationally explain Reagan’s condition. He gives time and credence to psychological conditions and phenomena that have been known to cause the symptoms frequently associated with possession. He directly references respected psychologists and behavioral scientists. It’s obvious the author did his research and covered his bases, especially impressive given his own religious dedication and belief. It’s almost frustrating at times because there were occasions where I wanted to smack Karras upside the head and say “There is no scientific explanation for what you just saw! It. Is. A. Demon.” But in the long run this attention to detail is beneficial, seemingly answering Blatty’s critics and detractors before they can speak out, and giving the reader even more reason to respect Karras and the author himself.
But speaking of respectable characters, I do have to note that my main complaint is how little we see of Father Merrin. We get a scene with him in the preface, but he doesn’t appear again until the last fifth of the book. Even then, he is in and out very quickly in that time, giving us no backstory to why he seems to aware of his impending doom, or why he seems to have met this demonic entity before. I would have liked to see more of him, both to provide background, as well as to better flesh out Karras’ story arc. But in the time we do have him, he is eminently likable and impressive, even more so than his movie counterpart. His calm demeanor and wise words are affecting and memorable. He is certainly a character worth having, even if his time is limited.
Finally it is worth noting that the actual exorcism is a very small part of the book, only in the last fifth or so. It is started and ended in what feels like no time at all. Again, very different from the movie where a large chunk of run time is given over to it. It’s not a complaint though. It seems as if the book version better lives up to its name, with the focus being more on the exorcist than the exorcism. The possession of the young girl is used more as a vehicle to prompt discussions of faith, how it looks to different people, and what one does when they seem to have lost it. Overall it makes for a very different experience than one might expect after viewing the film, but it’s not a bad thing. The novel is well worth the read and adds new dimensions to the story you think you know.
To be clear, I enjoyed the book. Blatty’s writing is very good, his language is evocative, and his character building is spot on. It is absolutely worth reading. But the tone is entirely different from the film version, so if that’s what you’re here for, be warned. Where the movie is dark and ominous and downright nihilistic at times, the book has a more grounded, realistic, and overall hopeful feel. While in the movie you know right away that supernatural forces are at play, Blatty still leaves room for interpretation well past the halfway mark. He spends a good chunk of the novel following Father Karras’ efforts to rationally explain Reagan’s condition. He gives time and credence to psychological conditions and phenomena that have been known to cause the symptoms frequently associated with possession. He directly references respected psychologists and behavioral scientists. It’s obvious the author did his research and covered his bases, especially impressive given his own religious dedication and belief. It’s almost frustrating at times because there were occasions where I wanted to smack Karras upside the head and say “There is no scientific explanation for what you just saw! It. Is. A. Demon.” But in the long run this attention to detail is beneficial, seemingly answering Blatty’s critics and detractors before they can speak out, and giving the reader even more reason to respect Karras and the author himself.
But speaking of respectable characters, I do have to note that my main complaint is how little we see of Father Merrin. We get a scene with him in the preface, but he doesn’t appear again until the last fifth of the book. Even then, he is in and out very quickly in that time, giving us no backstory to why he seems to aware of his impending doom, or why he seems to have met this demonic entity before. I would have liked to see more of him, both to provide background, as well as to better flesh out Karras’ story arc. But in the time we do have him, he is eminently likable and impressive, even more so than his movie counterpart. His calm demeanor and wise words are affecting and memorable. He is certainly a character worth having, even if his time is limited.
Finally it is worth noting that the actual exorcism is a very small part of the book, only in the last fifth or so. It is started and ended in what feels like no time at all. Again, very different from the movie where a large chunk of run time is given over to it. It’s not a complaint though. It seems as if the book version better lives up to its name, with the focus being more on the exorcist than the exorcism. The possession of the young girl is used more as a vehicle to prompt discussions of faith, how it looks to different people, and what one does when they seem to have lost it. Overall it makes for a very different experience than one might expect after viewing the film, but it’s not a bad thing. The novel is well worth the read and adds new dimensions to the story you think you know.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really not all the scary, just decidedly gross. I was wary in some sections, but the pacing, dialogue, and transitions throughout this book lead to a jarring and often comedic experience. 2/5, not the worst thing I've read, but I'll only recommend it if you're looking for a bit of a chuckle couched within "the most terrifying book you'll ever read", as the front cover suggests.
There's more vomit than terrifying material in this book. Just... gross.
There's more vomit than terrifying material in this book. Just... gross.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I went into this novel as a massive fan of the film. I think reading the novel has made me love the film even more. The way they translated so many of the little details from the book to the screen is incredible.
What makes this novel scary is the methodical approach Chris MacNeil takes when trying to find out what is wrong with her daughter. Not only is she in a foreign place, but she goes through every single doctor she can to find out what’s wrong. It’s chilling reading the very vivid descriptions of Regan being poked, prodded, and examined by the doctors, only for there to be no answer.
The relationship between Kindermann and Father Karras is what the book does so much better than the movie. Kindermann is a much more important figure in the novel, which I love as his character is so interesting to read. Kindermann was one of the highlights, and without him taking such a large role I don’t think I would love the book nearly as much as I do. Karras too is more interesting in the book, as the audience is able to read his inner conflicts especially dealing with his mother.
What makes this novel scary is the methodical approach Chris MacNeil takes when trying to find out what is wrong with her daughter. Not only is she in a foreign place, but she goes through every single doctor she can to find out what’s wrong. It’s chilling reading the very vivid descriptions of Regan being poked, prodded, and examined by the doctors, only for there to be no answer.
The relationship between Kindermann and Father Karras is what the book does so much better than the movie. Kindermann is a much more important figure in the novel, which I love as his character is so interesting to read. Kindermann was one of the highlights, and without him taking such a large role I don’t think I would love the book nearly as much as I do. Karras too is more interesting in the book, as the audience is able to read his inner conflicts especially dealing with his mother.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes