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Cover of The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

The Exorcist

William Peter Blatty

  • 400 pages · about 7 hours
  • First published 1971
  • 77 editions
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1 About this book

The Exorcist is a 1971 horror novel by American writer William Peter Blatty. The book details the demonic possession of eleven-year-old Regan MacNeil, the daughter of a famous actress, and the two priests who attempt to exorcise the demon. Published by Harper & Row, the novel was the basis of a highly successful film adaptation released two years later, whose screenplay was also written and produced by Blatty, and part of The Exorcist franchise.

The novel was inspired by a 1949 case of demonic possession and exorcism that Blatty heard about while he was a student in the class of 1950 at Georgetown University. As a result, the novel takes place in Washington, D.C., near the campus of Georgetown University. In September 2011, the novel was reprinted by Harper Collins to celebrate its fortieth anniversary, with slight revisions made by Blatty as well as interior title artwork by Jeremy Caniglia.

  • Horror
  • Thrillers
  • Gothic revival
  • Demons
  • Jesuits
  • Atheism
  • Demoniac possession
  • Psychological fiction

2 What to expect

A horror novel set in Washington: the young daughter of a film actress begins to change in terrifying ways, and two Jesuit priests are drawn in. It is as much about doubt, guilt and belief as about the possession, and it builds slowly, through medical tests and investigation, before the confrontation. It is frightening and graphic, with obscene language and with sexual and blasphemous content involving a child.

Good for readers who want: classic supernatural horror, faith and doubt, and a creeping build to real terror.

3 About William Peter Blatty

1928–2017

William Peter Blatty (January 7, 1928 – January 12, 2017) was a Lebanese American writer, director and producer. He is best known for his 1971 novel The Exorcist and for his screenplay for the 1973 film adaptation. Blatty won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Exorcist, and was nominated for Best Picture as its producer. The film also earned Blatty a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama as producer.

Bio adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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