Legion [Paperback]

After I finished reading William Peter Blatty's "The Exorcist," I immediately picked up and read "Legion." I don't know if sequel is quite the right word for this book. Bill Kinderman, a detective from "The Exorcist," is the protagonist of this novel, but the plot doesn't quite pick up where the plot of the "The Exorcist" left off, not really. Nonetheless, certain plot elements in the first book are relevant to "Legion." I suspect that Blatty wrote this book as a sort of denunciation of the film "Exorcist II," hardly unheard of in the literary film (see, e.g., Robert Bloch's "Psycho II" in comparison with the film, or Larry McMurtry's "Streets of Laredo" in comparison with the telepic "Return to Lonesome Dove.") Ironically enough, "Legion" itself was turned into a film, directed by Blatty, but studio interference made it "Exorcist III."

The plot is simple (in fact, in 2004 it's almost cliched): Kinderman investigates a series of particularly gruesome torture murders occurring around Georgetown that are connected somehow to another series in San Francisco a decade before committed by the "Gemini" (obvious nod to the real "Zodiac.") The problem is, Gemini is dead. So who's doing this new series, and what does the psychiatric ward of hospital have to do with them? Through all this, Kinderman is battling with his faith, trying to reconcile his ideas of an omniscient, omnipotent, compassionate God with the horror of what goes on in the world on a daily basis.

The book is quite chilling throughout. A deeper analysis is called for, perhaps, but that would undercut some of the power of this book as it would give away far too much. Suffice it to say, Kinderman finds himself battling a creature he is coming to believe is not really quite human.

One glaring flaw of the book is Kinderman's soliloquies on the nature of good and evil as he goes forth to fight monsters. These are frequent, and more often than not interrupt the flow of the book. While I realize that Blatty's primary purpose was probably dealing with these issues, a less obtrusive way would have made for a better book.

Another problem is the denouement, which only clarifies so much, but leaves other plot lines untouched. Consequently, a subplot involving a doctor who may or may not be the killer, while at times spooky, ultimately winds up being only vaguely consequential (the film simply drops it, making for a stronger story). Also, the ending is abrupt, and feels somewhat unsatisfying (again, the film built up some of these threads, but that ending isn't wholly satisfying either).

These flaws having been acknowledged, the novel is mostly a success. When not rambling, Kinderman is a thoroughly engaging hero. His interactions with his family, colleagues, and friends (particularly Father Joseph Dyer, another survivor of "The Exorcist"), are crisp, smart, touching, and believable.

"Legion" is a must for horror fans looking to be engaged at multiple levels. While not perfect, it succeeds where it needs to, and makes a good read.

This is a tough review for me to write because I'm so torn by this book. On the one hand, the dialogue between detective Kinderman and Tommy Sunlight (killer/mental patient) is among the best and most chilling I have read. Then the book will drag on for long, boring stretches.

"Legion" is both blessed and cursed. The description of the gruesome, supernatural nature of the murders is sure to send a chill up your spine. The descriptions of the catatonics is also effective. The story will then skew off on philosophical tangents that take the reader off the path of the story and soon he doesn't know why he is in a place that is seemingly unrelated to the plot.

The bottom line is this: In order to read the most brilliant parts of this book (and yes, there really are some brilliant parts here) you are also going to have to trudge through the superflous and boring passages as well. "Legion" is a good book with great parts, but perhaps with better editing, it could have been a great book, end of discussion.

A final note: In my opinion, the movie was better than the book. George C. Scott plays Kinderman and Brad Dourif plays Tommy Sunlight. Dourif's performance is especially noteworthy. The great dialogue is kept, almost verbatim, from the book. The boring parts are omitted and there are scenes that are not in the book.

Not sure how i found my way here to an out of print book but here i am. I read this book years ago after finding it in a used book sale. I was quite young, hadn't seen or read The Exorcist but liked the cover of the eyes and candle and the blurb "call me legion for we are many." Well i read it, didn't really understand what was going on and forgot about it. I came back to it years later after reading the first book and this time it just blew me away. It has something special in a horror novel in that it is actually very thought provoking. Kinderman's conversations are wonderful. But there is also a real scary atmosphere to this book. I defy anyone to read the section on the tape recording of coma patients and not feel a chill when voices can be heard in empty rooms. This book is a classic and doesn't deserve to be out of print. Maybe when Exorcist 4 comes out it will get a new lease of life.
The film based on this book "Exorcist 3" doesn't have the depth of the book and misses out entirely the tape recordings and the life story of James Vennamun but is quite a good film. It includes that famous one view corridor scene that builds and builds into one of the great horror moments ever.

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