The Exorcist: A Novel

Written by William Peter Blatty

Narrated by William Peter Blatty and Eliana Shaskan

""A horror story for all midnights.""  —The Boston Globe

“Read the book. It's an experience you will never forget.”—St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The phenomenal #1 bestseller that inspired the classic motion picture, which remains the most terrifying and unforgettable horror novel ever written.

Originally published in 1971, The Exorcist is a bestselling literary phenomenon and remains one of the most frightening and controversial novels ever written.

Based on true events of a child’s demonic possession in the 1940s, The Exorcist tells the story of eleven-year-old Regan MacNeil and her mother Chris, a famous actress and doting mother. When Regan’s personality unexpectedly shifts and she starts exhibiting disturbing, often violent behavior, her desperate mother is driven to seek help from two Catholic priests, men who will risk everything—including their own souls— to free the girl from the ancient malevolent force possessing her.

Purposefully raw and profane, this novel still has the extraordinary ability to shock readers and cause them to forget that it is “just a story.” More than fifty years after its initial publication, The Exorcist remains a truly unforgettable reading experience.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 4, 2011
• ISBN: 9780062125897

William Peter Blatty

William Peter Blatty (1928–2017) was the bestselling author of The Exorcist, which he turned into an Academy Award–winning screenplay. The son of immigrant parents, he was a comic novelist before embarking on a four-decade career as a successful Hollywood writer. Blatty died on January 12, 2017, in Bethesda, Maryland.

[luke.eigelbach · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent. Just excellent. Incredibly written, unexpectedly poignant, and expertly narrated by the author.

[Book Club · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I started listening to the audiobook version of this book because the movie seemed too scary for me but then I realized this is a tremendously well written story! The dialogs are perfect, the characters are quite interesting and well developed, I particularly enjoyed the detective's interrogation scenes and how Chris gets more and more desperate throughout the story. I doubt I'll ever watch the movie but I'm glad I got around to listening to this audiobook, I enjoyed it very much.

[907Tony · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is one of the rare occasions when the movie was better than the book. If you've seen the movie, don't feel bad for skipping the book.

[Kevin Robles · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Not sure whether to rate this book #1 or #2 favorites it’s phenomenal. Entertaining all way through. Intense and not one bad moment. Like sure we can nick pick out even then I can only find like 2-3 things and that comes down to preference. This book is a work of art

[katewi5652 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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[Cristian Diaz Basualto · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

spectacular, perfect, very scary,detailed and even more explicit than the movie, of course I would read it again.

[MH · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's the first book I've read about demonic possessions, and I was really eager to read it. It did not disappoint me at all.
At first, it seemed to go at a slow pace, but then I started to read it with more enthusiasm and finished it in no time. For me, both the book and the movie will always be a classic of the genre.

A piece of advice: it's better to read the book before watching the movie. (Translated from Spanish)

[Thedevilcountness · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is the first book I read about demon possessions, and I was very eager to read it. Thankfully, it did not disappoint me. One piece of advice: it's better to read it before watching the movie because then, as you read, you imagine the movie in your head. At first, it seemed to be going at a slow pace, but then I started reading it with more enthusiasm and finished it in no time. For me, both the book and the movie will always be a classic of the genre. (Translated from Spanish)

[Yisnabook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good plot if you enjoy the genre or if you have previously read something in horror.

It is a book with raw, violent, and strong descriptions but that is not everything.

To reach these moments of terror, we are gradually enveloped in a tense atmosphere where, before arriving at the point of the supernatural, alternatives are sought.

The doctors have explanations from different angles, the detective wavers between the rational and what his intuition tells him, and the priests live a life of trauma and internal struggles seeking faith.

And with all that, they are the last resort of a desperate mother and of a demon and a priest who already know their fate. What will be the piece of the game that defines the outcome for one or the other? (Translated from Spanish)

[KarliG · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I didn't expect to like it so much. Although at the beginning the reading felt a bit slow, once I got fully into the story, I read it almost in one sitting. I really liked the medical approach they give to Regan's possession, especially in the field of psychiatry; that made the reading more interesting for me than if it had only focused on the religious aspect. I felt it was a mix of paranormal and psychological horror, and that surprised me a lot because when I started I wasn't quite sure what I would encounter, as it's inevitable to keep the movie in mind and want to compare the two. (Translated from Spanish)

[Milo33 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Regan's life with her mother was pure love. Her mother, who had gone through a divorce and suffered the loss of a child, had to start working as an actress, which allowed her to have a more peaceful life. Regan is a normal girl who enjoys drawing and developing herself in the best way, soon turning 12 years old, when something invades the privacy of the MacNeil family. After treatments in which doctors told her mother that she had problems in her head, her daughter begins to display inappropriate behavior, experiencing disorders in the lobe until hysteria sets in. In the end, a psychiatrist is requested to speak with the mother, seeking help to save her daughter’s case, until the option of an exorcism arises, where Father Damien Karras, along with another priest, will have to fight against the demon that has taken the poor Regan captive. (Translated from Spanish)

[Cazadoradelibros · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For the first time in Spain since its publication in 1972, one of the most chilling and terrifying novels ever written returns uncensored, which inspired one of the most shocking films in the history of cinema.

Based on a true story that occurred in the 1940s, the protagonist is an eleven-year-old girl who suffers terrible transformations, especially in her behavior. Neither doctors, scientists, nor psychologists are able to find the cause of such a state, and gradually everything leans toward the hypothesis that the girl is possessed by the devil.

The time has come to carry out the relentless rite that pits exorcist against devil in a deadly duel.

Published in 1971, The Exorcist is one of the most chilling and terrifying novels ever written, and it has given rise to a film saga and a cult television series. (Translated from Spanish)

[Mane MH · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If medicine and psychiatry do not help, could exorcism be the answer?
The time has come for the relentless rite that pits exorcist against demon in a deadly duel.
The Exorcist is one of the most haunting and terrifying works of fiction ever written.

Based on a true event that occurred in the 1940s, the protagonist is an eleven-year-old girl who undergoes terrible transformations, especially in her behavior. Neither doctors, scientists, nor psychologists can find the cause of such a condition, and gradually everything shifts towards the hypothesis that the girl is possessed by the demon.

Published in 1971, The Exorcist is one of the most harrowing and terrifying novels ever written and has spawned a film saga and a cult television series. (Translated from Spanish)

[Lectorasinrumbo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If medicine and psychiatry do not help, can exorcism be the answer?

The time has come for the relentless rite that pits exorcist against demon in a mortal duel.

The Exorcist is one of the most haunting and terrifying works of fiction ever written.

Based on a true event that occurred in the 1940s, the protagonist is an eleven-year-old girl who undergoes terrible transformations, particularly in her behavior. Neither doctors, scientists, nor psychologists are able to find the cause of such a state, and gradually, everything leans towards the hypothesis that the girl is possessed by a demon.

Published in 1971, The Exorcist is one of the most chilling and terrifying novels ever written, and it has given rise to a film saga and a cult television series. (Translated from Spanish)

[RodionRaskolnikov · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A super entertaining read. Excellent dialogues. (Translated from Spanish)

[Ezequiel ✔️ · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Exorcist, by American writer William Peter Blatty, is a horror novel that has become an undeniable classic of the genre. Published in 1971, it tells the story of Regan MacNeil, an eleven-year-old girl who is possessed by a demon.

Two priests, Father Karras and Father Merrin, are called to exorcise the demon from Regan, triggering an epic battle between good and evil.

What I liked most about the book:
The terrifying atmosphere that Blatty creates throughout the novel, using descriptive prose filled with suspense.
The depth of the characters, especially Regan, whose possession is portrayed in a realistic and chilling manner.
The exploration of religious and philosophical themes, such as the nature of good and evil, faith, and doubt.
The influence it has had on popular culture, inspiring movies, TV series, and other horror works.

What I liked least about the book:
Some descriptions of Regan’s possession may be too strong for sensitive readers.
The novel can feel a bit slow at times, especially in the beginning.
The ending might feel a bit ambiguous for some readers.

Overall, The Exorcist is a masterpiece of horror that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page. If you enjoy the genre, or if you’re simply looking for a chilling read, I highly recommend this book. (Translated from Spanish)

[mmvv · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I want to approach this seriously... and I always keep in mind that when a book comes into your hands, it's for a reason... like a divine message... but what happens when that book is The Exorcist? I won't deny that I even laughed at my belief in "signs of destiny" because honestly, who wants to encounter a demon? But... until you perceive a desperate mother trying to save her daughter, a priest who, in certain descriptions, gives you more than just a special fondness... huh? Or the persistent homicide investigator... whom you end up empathizing with, because of his obsession with this case... and with fear, I will say this: even the dialogues of Satan himself are exquisite. I still don’t know what message this book wanted to leave me today... or maybe I do... but I fear discovering how many dark things are latent in me... because some of us need to exorcise more than one demon... some of us have stories that make us live through hell itself... and maybe... to save ourselves from this, we need others so much... but here we are, absorbed, angry, like tied to a bed in a room we don’t want to leave out of fear... where every day we yell words of hatred at everything around us, where there are days we physically harm ourselves purely out of awareness... I also have a mother like Regan, or rather a family watching over me... it’s just that sometimes we need more than faith, some priests to save us from all this... Excellent work, just like the movie. Easy and enjoyable reading. Highly recommended... and even reflective... yes, REFLECTIVE. (Translated from Spanish)

[DAVIDCL27 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This story tells the tale of a famous movie actress who lives with her daughter an ordinary life, like anyone in the world of fame would wish to live, filled with luxuries and money to spend. Little Regan is a very sweet girl despite not having her father by her side, but in return, she has her mother Chris who has provided her with a life full of love, despite the economic situation they are going through. These two women live near a university campus of a religious community where strange events begin to occur, specifically in the chapel, with acts that profane their beliefs. At the same time, things are happening in the MacNeil home on an even stranger level. Regan has started to communicate through a Ouija board, as well as having a "friendship" with an imaginary "friend" and experiencing changes in the temperature of her room, her bed moving, strange sounds, and objects suddenly changing places. As the days pass, Regan begins to behave more aggressively, using voices that are not her own, impossible movements for her body, strange languages and words, to the point that even the most expert doctors could not determine what was happening to her, whether she was experiencing psychosis, trauma, brain issues, and many more theories. Everything intensifies when a friend and director of her mother, one night, comes to their home and is left alone with the girl for a moment while the others are occupied. When her mother and Regan’s guardian, Sharon, return, they find everything in order, but the next day they receive the news that Dennings, the film director, has died under strange circumstances. All of this leads to a hysterical and fearful mother, a detective pressing to discover if it was possible for such a young and sick girl to murder someone, a priest named Damien Karras fighting against his own demons to help a family in need, and the mission of Father Lankester Merrin, now retired, who, from his archaeological work in Africa, had seen the signs of this new origin of evil. It culminates in an exorcism that will save Regan's life, but at a great cost. (Translated from Spanish)

[MarilynDelCarmen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"As he turned the corner, he saw that the elderly man was still standing under the streetlamp, amidst the fog, like a melancholic traveler frozen in time."

Frozen in time and memory, how can a simple sentence lead to such an iconic image? I greatly regret having seen the movie (so many times) before reading the book because it became an impossible task for me to read each scene without referencing the film.

The movie, especially the extended version from 2001, is very well adapted, to the point that the book itself feels more like a complement to the movie than a completely separate story (as often happens with other works that have been poorly adapted). Save for one scene or maybe two, everything seen in the movie was taken directly from the book, and yet, the book also has its own charm (or should I say "enchantment"? perhaps more in line with the story).

Despite having such terrifying and grotesque scenes, I found that the reading flowed quite well for me (or at least that was my experience). The characters are very well defined. The suspense was very well constructed in the sense that William Peter Blatty doesn't make the reader feel foolish by providing obvious explanations for every situation, but he also doesn’t make it impossible to tie up the loose ends as they appear.

Another thing that caught my attention and definitely cannot be appreciated in the films is the beauty that the author suddenly captures in some of his descriptions. "The girl was thin as a faint hope." Being a horror book, one wouldn't expect to read something as beautiful as the poem Regan wrote to her mother before falling into that terrible state or the way Father Merrin spoke about death in the book that Chris MacNeil was reading.

As I mentioned, at times the book may feel like a supplement to the movie, and although most of the scenes in the movie are found in the book, not all scenes in the book are found in the movie. The film is filled with small details that, whether due to the horror or because they are truly too subtle, go unnoticed until one reads the book and understands everything.

Finally, having seen the movie before reading the book is a shame that will always make me wonder how terrifying this story could have been if the images had presented themselves in my mind as my own creation rather than as an intruder violently interrupting my reading as I progressed? I don’t know, I loved the novel just as I already loved the movie, so I came to the conclusion that maybe, for the first time, the book is not better than the movie nor vice versa, but that the complete experience includes both, although I would say that I would read the book first to avoid having to watch the movie twice if I were a very fearful person, haha. (Translated from Spanish)

[Neike93 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An intriguing work, full of suspense. It doesn't generate as much fear as the movie. But it has its own merits, with relationships and police intrigue. The exorcism unfolds in the last part as a resolution, which is good. Leaving too many questions that the reader must solve. Read chapters 3 and 4 at night. It leaves you caught between terror and suspense. It was an unparalleled experience of ecstasy. Highly recommended. (Translated from Spanish)

[BAELANGEL · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The movie seemed to me to be one of the best in its genre. One morning, while walking down the Avenida, I passed by a table of used books from the bookstore in my neighborhood and saw this book among many others. Bulky, with its thick and yellowed pages, perhaps enjoyed by more than one visitor. I bought it. My surprise was even greater when I found in its pages an account that was much richer and more detailed about the events of the exorcism and its surroundings. Highly recommended. Dive into this book and feel the terror, anxiety, and reality of an excellent account of a true story. (Translated from Spanish)

[Cuentaeliminada06052023 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's the first book I've read about demon possessions, and I was really eager to read it. Thankfully, it didn't disappoint me. One piece of advice: it's better to read it before watching the movie because then as you read, you picture the movie in your head. At first, it felt slow-paced, but then I started reading it with more enthusiasm and finished it in no time. For me, both the book and the movie will always be a classic of the genre. (Translated from Spanish)

[JuanCasco · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Chris MacNeil, a renowned actress, lives in Washington with her daughter Regan, who begins to exhibit strange behavior, along with mysterious events occurring in the house. Chris starts to worry about her daughter's health and after countless medical tests, which show no strange results, the idea arises that the girl is possessed by a demon.
I discovered this novel through this app; I was familiar with the movie that I had never seen, but I didn't know it was an adaptation. I really enjoyed this novel a lot; it maintains the pace throughout the reading and makes you not want to put it down, and I also highlighted the tension it made me feel at times.
I obviously recommend the adaptation which doesn't require much to say. It features brilliant performances by Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, and Max Von Sydow, and with its iconic soundtrack, it makes this film a classic of cinema. (Translated from Spanish)

[NaviruShorno · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The novel The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty was written in 1971, has 376 pages, and belongs to the horror genre.

It is a book where mystery abounds, with a thrilling pace and an increasingly suffocating atmosphere. Every time the characters go up the stairs and head to Regan's bedroom, the setting becomes colder, more eerie... The psychological development of this character and the mother is one of the things I liked the most, along with Father Karras's analytical quest to ascertain whether we are facing a true case of demonic possession. Special mention goes to the characters of Kinderman, Merrin, Karl, and the medium... What great characters! They are so well constructed and charismatic that they are also among the best in the book.

I also really liked how the theme of faith is explored from all possible angles. The assertion that God expresses himself through silence and truth, and the devil through noise and lies is a lesson worth its weight in gold.

In summary, I recommend this book to all lovers of horror or mystery novels. The story is addictive and sensational, with a plethora of memorable characters that enrich the plot in a very original way. (Translated from Spanish)

[NaviruShorno · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The novel The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty was written in 1971, has 376 pages, and belongs to the horror genre.

It is a book that also abounds in mystery, with a breathtaking pace and an increasingly suffocating atmosphere. Every time the characters go up the stairs and head to Regan's bedroom, the setting becomes colder, more macabre... Incredible is the psychological development of this character and the mother, it is one of the things I liked the most along with Father Karras's analytical search to ascertain whether we are dealing with a true case of demonic possession. Special mention to the characters of Kinderman, Merrin, Karl, or the medium... What great characters! They are so well constructed and so charismatic that they are also among the best in the book.

I also really liked how the theme of faith is approached from all possible angles. The assertion that God expresses Himself through silence and truth, and the devil through noise and lies is a teaching worth its weight in gold.

In summary, I recommend this book to all lovers of horror or mystery novels. The story is addictive and sensational, with a multitude of memorable characters that enrich the plot in a very original way. (Translated from Spanish)

[AngeldelaNoche · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The work may have had considerable importance at its time, and even more so the later film, due to the scenes of the child vomiting and masturbating with the crucifix. Beyond that, it is completely outdated, currently it is a brick, and not even a good one. I would prefer Melmoth the Wanderer a thousand times even though it uses much heavier language and plot structure. The Exorcist is a flat and directive novel; you already know it’s possessed, if not, there is no novel, and absolutely nothing goes outside the suggested course. They take 80% of the book to admit that it is possessed, the doctors just flail about, their diagnoses are so far from any reality that they become laughable, spouting all those silly statements like “oh no, yes, telekinesis under stress is normal.” Okay then, it is only recommended for reading by some collector or literature obsessive and its evolution, like me. (Translated from Spanish)

[Rosie46 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I had certain fears when it came to reading this novel; I have a serious trauma with the movie, and after buying it, I spent years pretending it wasn't on the shelf. In the end, I was encouraged to read it through a group read organized by a group of friends... And I must say that I was pleasantly surprised...
The author leaves you clues, almost imperceptible, from the beginning of the novel that guide you towards what is going to happen. He tells us about all the medical and psychological tests that Reagan undergoes, recounts the paranormal or curious episodes that happen in the house, managing to create a totally enveloping and suffocating atmosphere; the fear is very subtle, but it is present throughout the novel.
With impeccable narration and characters as curious as they are well-built, it is understandable why it is considered one of the classics of horror. Father Karras is a character full of light and shadow with whom you empathize from the very first moment, while Reagan's mother is one of those characters who can drive you crazy...
Highly recommended novel. (Translated from Spanish)

[rafacastro · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It has been a great read. However, I believe that having seen the movie first made it much more intense. It might be one of the few books for which I would recommend watching the movie first. (Translated from Spanish)

[Edd62 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"By seeking forgetfulness, they tried to remember."

"The aged man remained standing under the streetlamp, in the middle of the fog, like a melancholic traveler frozen in time." The arrival of Father Merrin at Regan's house. Love it or hate it, it's an iconic horror moment.

A simple confrontation that has grown tied to the arguments and the reluctance to surrender, to accept defeat, as well as the increase in supporters on both sides. Fanatics, active supporters, or mere spectators.

It's not only the forces of good and evil that Blatty presents. It's also the scientific argument, which stands against the foundations of faith. It's faith that looks sideways and suspiciously at scientific elements.

These are centuries of beliefs, of believing in the absurd, of doubting the manifest. While he showcases it through Christian rituals, the unease (if you like, call it terror) leads to suspicion that there are forces we do not understand. The incontrovertible reality that there are events we will never comprehend, or at least we will never know what their causes were.

This can be transferred to any realm of existence. Blatty had the good fortune to find the right context at the right moment. Friedkin brought it to the big screen.

In that realm of contexts, the book currently does not go beyond presenting a handful of literary, historical, biblical, apocryphal, and even academic references regarding what is called possession and its repercussions. The movie, however, has been a reference in the realm of horror cinema.

Currently, there are thousands of things in the world that are scarier, even without touching the aspect of the supernatural. But in its time... in its time...

I must confess that while I wasn't dead with fear, I was indeed full of unease; I finished it in a day due to the development of the plot. And I was satisfied, although the scene with the spider and the owl's neck didn't impress me as much as in the cinema (well, I'm talking about 40 years ago). (Translated from Spanish)

[CarlaCL · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I warn that this review may hurt sensitivities. I just hope that after reading it, I won't be crucified or exorcised.

And without further ado, here I go, head first into hell.

I can say and I affirm, without any doubt, that The Exorcist did not please me much. I’m sorry to say it, I wanted to like it, I opened it with excitement, but it almost killed me with... Nothing. Not a bit of fear. Not a bit of empathy. Nor pity. No paranormal chills, nor midnight paranoia. I didn't hear a single damn noise while reading it (and that tends to happen to me). Not even my cats got tense. It's a shame, but it left me cold.

And since I don't like to dissect a book without providing solid reasons, so it doesn't seem like I'm just contradicting, here they go... Alea iacta est.

Argument number 1. The characters did not convince me at all: from the doctor who compares a child's illness to a car breakdown and is completely unfazed, to the exasperating detective who made me want to throw myself off the balcony, aside from the revulsion he generated in me, or Reagan's sweet mom, about whom I won't comment to avoid spoilers, but I could talk at length because she completely killed it for me. There was a moment in the book where it was either her or me, no middle ground. The worst thing about the characters is that they didn’t seem believable to me, and that drives me crazy, disabling any possibility of empathizing with them, and that’s where they end for me.

Argument number 2. The demon. Okay, I'll make a concession. This demon is purely audiovisual. I was unable to finish the movie because of the tremendous fear it gave me. I don't think I'll try again. It scared me so much that I forever lost the desire to play with a Ouija board or have anything to do with the afterlife and what hides there. I’ll be kind and say only that in the written medium it loses quite a bit. I can attest that I imagined everything; I have a very visual imagination, but it seems to me that the problem is that the author did not manage (at least with me) to convey the damn bad vibe that a demonic possession gives. Largely because this spirit that we are dealing with seems to me like a very tame demon. If I had been him, with how hard it must be to get a body to cause havoc, I think I would have made better use of it. I don’t know, more spice, more deaths, more destruction. Something. I say. If a carpet gets stained with vomit, I take it to the dry cleaner and that's it.

Argument number 3. The distribution of time in the novel. This is something that bothered me a bit; I got the impression that the time spent on the setup, the conflict, and the resolution is poorly balanced. I’m being technical only due to spoilers; I can't put it any other way without giving away anything from the novel. I expected less setup and more meat, so to speak.

Fortunately, not everything has been bad; otherwise, the rating would have been much lower. I liked two characters, whom I will save from my bonfire (note the irony): Father Karras and Father Merrin. I loved how the crisis of faith in a priest is presented, that internal philosophical debate that, in my opinion, humanizes him. And Father Merrin seemed to me to be a composed, powerful guy who doesn’t let himself be intimidated by a third-rate demon. Both do everything possible to save the life of an innocent girl. And that humanity is appreciated.

As always, this is my opinion. I do not aim to offend or belittle any book, whatever it may be. What I don’t like, you might love, or maybe you haven’t read it. If that’s the case for you, don’t let what I say stop you; you might miss out on a story you love! (Translated from Spanish)