Take a photo of a barcode or cover
tillywark 's review for:
The Exorcist
by William Peter Blatty
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm going to start by voicing a potentially unpopular opinion. I agree with the demon's assessment of Regan's mother. If Chris MacNeil was a better parent, Regan likely wouldn't have found herself in need of an exorcism. Don't get me wrong, Chris is a good mother; she loves Regan, cares deeply for her, and wants what's best for her. However, she's an awful parent. While Chris is busy living the life of an A-list movie star, Regan is left in the care of Sharon (her tutor/Chris's secretary), and Willie and Karl (chief cooks and bottle washers). The only friend Regan seems to have is Captain Howdy (named after her father) who she meets through a ouija board (and is ultimately the demon who possesses her). Yes, Chris is divorced, and her ex-husband is elsewhere in the world, but to not inform him of Regan's condition, especially when her imaginary friend has his name? Major fail. No wonder the child spiraled into mania! Another example of Chris being a bad parent, Regan constantly shits the bed while possessed, and Chris chooses to send her secretary to clean up the mess while she essentially clutches pearls and downs vodka. What the hell, Chris? I didn't like her, and found her to be a shitty human. That said, her character was written well, despite being deplorable.
Anyway.
I liked the crisis of faith that Damien Karras has, despite being a priest. I thought the intermingling of God and psychology was an interesting mix. I don't blame him for saying Regan ought to be institutionalized, but also for performing the exorcism. Did he partake because he truly believed Regan was possessed by a demon, or was it scientific curiosity? I think it may have been a mix of both.
Father Merrin was an interesting character. We meet him in the novel's prologue, and he is every bit the stereotype. But you know what? I didn't mind it. Though why he didn't mention the demon's name during the exorcism confuses me. I haven't seen many exorcism-themed movies, but the few I have watched involve the priests learning the demon's name, and from there they can exert a level of control.
Overall, this was a good book. Unfortunately, I wasn't properly spooked at any point as I was like Father Karras and utilizing logic the whole way through. I also could've used more with the actual exorcism itself. It was, unfortunately, anti-climactic. A word of warning, however. There are scenes in this book that are disturbing (such as bodily mutilation), so if graphic imagery is a trigger, read something else.
Anyway.
I liked the crisis of faith that Damien Karras has, despite being a priest. I thought the intermingling of God and psychology was an interesting mix. I don't blame him for saying Regan ought to be institutionalized, but also for performing the exorcism. Did he partake because he truly believed Regan was possessed by a demon, or was it scientific curiosity? I think it may have been a mix of both.
Father Merrin was an interesting character. We meet him in the novel's prologue, and he is every bit the stereotype. But you know what? I didn't mind it. Though why he didn't mention the demon's name during the exorcism confuses me. I haven't seen many exorcism-themed movies, but the few I have watched involve the priests learning the demon's name, and from there they can exert a level of control.
Overall, this was a good book. Unfortunately, I wasn't properly spooked at any point as I was like Father Karras and utilizing logic the whole way through. I also could've used more with the actual exorcism itself. It was, unfortunately, anti-climactic. A word of warning, however. There are scenes in this book that are disturbing (such as bodily mutilation), so if graphic imagery is a trigger, read something else.