The Exorcist: A Novel

William Peter Blatty

Oct 2011 · HarperAudio · Narrated by William Peter Blatty and Eliana Shaskan

About this audiobook

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

Inspired by the shockingly true story of a child’s demonic possession in the 1940s, William Peter Blatty's iconic novel focuses on Regan, the eleven-year-old daughter of a movie actress residing in Washington, D.C. When sweet Regan's behavior turns sinister, a small group of overwhelmed yet determined individuals take it upon themselves to rescue the poor girl from her unspeakable fate. Timeless and terrifying, The Exorcist is a story that has gripped the public zeitgeist for more than half a century.

Originally published in 1971, it remains one of the most controversial novels ever written. A literary phenomenon soon after its release, it spent fifty-seven weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, seventeen consecutively at number one. It also became a wildly popular motion picture, garnering ten Academy Award nominations. On the opening day of the film, lines of fans stretched around city blocks. In Chicago, frustrated moviegoers used a battering ram to gain entry through the double side doors of a theater. In Kansas City, police used tear gas to disperse an impatient crowd who tried to force their way into a cinema. The three major television networks carried footage of these events, and CBS’s Walter Cronkite devoted almost ten minutes to the story. The Exorcist was, and is, more than just a novel and a film: it is a true landmark of American culture. . . and a reflection of our innermost fears.

Purposefully raw and profane, The Exorcist continues to engross and disturb readers. It remains an unforgettable reading experience that will continue to shock and frighten new generations of readers.

Ratings and reviews

This was very difficult to get through. It was very much like reading a screenplay. There was not much fluidity to the content and it felt very herky-jerky. This book gave me whiplash. It was on my bucketlist. I wouldn't recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure going in, but it held my interest and kept me wanting more. I had a hard time putting it down I like it a lot more than the movie.

Spectacular book. William Peter Blatty writes beautifully and brings it home with characters you care about. Doesn't muddy the waters with unnecessary nonsense, just straight awesome story telling. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys horror. The movie was adapted perfectly. Like everyone else, I saw the movie first and read the book after, man what a great combo. Book will always be better with more room for details, but the movie didn't skip a beat. phenomenal book, writer and reader.

About the author

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.