The Exorcist: 40th Anniversary Edition [Hardcover]

Having read this book several times, I was curious about this, for lack of a better term, "Special Edition" of Blatty's masterpiece. I'd read about an additional character being written in with a creepy scene added and thought to myself...

"Please, Mr. Blatty....PLEASE don't try to channel George Lucas and ruin your art by trying to improve upon perfection..."

The addition is rather subtle and brief, but definitely stands out leaving the reader with a "huh?" sort of feeling.

It had been years since I last read the book and, being a huge fan of the film, I figured it was time I actually owned a copy of it as opposed to hitting the library when the urge came.

The book is definitely of it's time...but no less relevant now as it was 40 years ago. It confronts spiritual matters head on and delivers a very frank and unflinching message about the concept of evil. Even in 2011 where just about every obscenity and depraved scenario has been played out in TV, music, movies, etc....there are passages within that will still make you cringe.

The film is about as close to a perfect adaptation as you can get, but with a few minor points missing. I really like Karl's story in the book. He is a completely fleshed out character with a depth that matches most of the principals, as opposed to his minor role in the film. Secondly, and more importantly, I really find the demonic entity in the book FAR more creepy than the McCambridge voiced Pazuzu in the film. There is a malevolence here that is far more intelligent and challenging. He/They taunt Karras and play mental chess with him. Is she possessed? Is she just incredibly disturbed? The entity keeps placing little doubts in Karras's already crumbling faith, rendering him nearly helpless to aid Regan Macneil.

It's a book about the mystery of faith and it's place in modern society. While I am not the most religious person and have my fair share of questions about "the meaning of it all", I am smart enough to know and accept that there are things that simply can NOT be explained with modern science and psychological/physiological advances. We live in a world that now seems to have an answer for everything. We belittle people of faith as ignorant and brainwashed...yet we watch society crumble around us with regards to morals, values, and an ever deteriorating capacity to do "good", and we wonder why. When this book was written, it was the end of the "peace, love and understanding" of the hippies and was becoming more and more of a society that questioned authority and sought to rebel against anything established...religion was one of those establishments. That sense of societal deterioration is firmly rooted in this book, maybe in the very essence of the story.

I've read theories that Regan's hellish torment is a metaphor for the loss of innocence and is the manifestation of the rebellious nature of the time. While I can certainly see how some would come to that conclusion, I feel it to be a bit pretentious. It reaks of modern academia and just another example of how people see faith as ignorant and unintelligent. I think this book tackles those kinds of elitist academics well and really brings things down to the simplest of notions...that evil is real and sometimes only faith can act as it's adversary.

40 years later...and still manages to teach a thing or two.

Thank you, Mr. Blatty.

DREAD CENTRAL'S 'THE MASKED SLASHER' SAYS IT ALL:

"There is a brand new character inserted into the proceedings. It's a mysterious Jesuit priest who appears to Father Karras in one spectacularly eerie dream sequence. Without spoiling anything for soon-to-be readers, we're never sure of who exactly appears to Damien (friend or foe - most likely demon), but the end result of the sequence is very scary, unsettling stuff.

"Whatever the edition, there's not a lot to say about 'The Exorcist' that hasn't already been said. This remains a thrilling, character-driven horror story that ranks up there with the best of them. I devoured this edition over the course of two sittings and couldn't have enjoyed it any more."

Have seen the movie many many times. The first time when I was 11 years old...hey my parents were free spirited and took me to see all kinds of movies I probably should not have seen at 11 but it was the 70s! I have never read the book. This book is amazing and after 40 years it still stands as one of the most iconic imaginings of all times. It will always be copied and imitated but nothing will every match the original. The writing is crisp, literate and character driven. If you are new to the Exorcist or coming back again after 40 years you will not be disappointed.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 19 reviews  4.5 out of 5 stars