The mysterious events, with their glimmerings of a supernatural realm, are described in the latest book by the man behind what may be the 20th centurys most famous horror story. The book details the demonic possession of elevenyearold regan macneil, the daughter of a famous actress, and the two priests who attempt to exorcise the demon. But unlike the movie, the book is about much, much more than ouija boards, spinning heads and projectile vomit, blatty said in an article exactly 40 years later. A tv reboot of the 1971 novel and its film adaptation debuts this week, but the deeper religious themes of the original story might be lost on. Inspired by a true story of a childs demonic possession in the 1940s, william peter blatty created an iconic novel that focuses on regan, the elevenyearold daughter of a movie actress residing in washington, d. Born in 1928, william peter blatty is a novelist and academy awardwinning screenwriter. But to avoid this theme is to make inferior films, which is why the exorcist endures. Now, over forty years later, it remains a truly chilling story.
When originally published in 1971, the exorcist became not only a bestselling literary phenomenon, but one of the most frightening and controversial novels ever. William peter blatty on why there is good in the exorcist america. A jesuit at the excavation feels a premonition of horror and receives signs that there is about to be an otherworldly confrontation when he sees a figurine of the demon pazuzu. I dont believe in the main theme of the story, i knew i wouldnt be able to appreciate the film. Blattys reoccurring themes in his faith trilogy exorcist, ninth configuration. The evil dead, prince of darkness, night of the demons, rosemarys baby and the amityville horror if there was anything that involved the timeless theme of good vs. It spent fiftyseven weeks on the new york times bestseller list, seventeen consecutively at number one. William peter blatty on why there is good in the exorcist. Few books involving the catholic church are as notorious as the exorcist. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. A film, a piece of theater, a piece of music, or a book can make a difference. It tells the story of the possession of a young girl named regan macneil. The exorcist and the lost art of great catholic storytelling the. This study guide consists of approximately 17 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the exorcist.
The exorcist is a 1973 american supernatural horror film directed by william friedkin, adapted by william peter blatty from his 1971 novel of. Even decades after it was first published, this book is still on many secular lists for the scariest book. The exorcist 1973 film study guide contains a biography of edward abbey, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. The exorcist is a 1971 novel in the horror genre by william peter blatty. As well the horror classic, the exorcist, his other novels include the ninth configuration, legion and dimiter. In neither the case exorcist was based on the 1940s possession of a boy given the pseudonym roland doe nor in its leading characters, is catholicism a crucial piece of information. The the exorcist 1973 film community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and. Dive deep into william peter blattys the exorcist with extended analysis, commentary, and discussion.
Both books were instant bestsellers and were adapted into equally popular films. In 1973, the book was turned into a critically acclaimed film that spawned a. The exorcist is a deeply disturbing novel that has horrified its readers since it was published in 1971. The exorcist and the lost art of catholic storytelling a tv reboot of the 1971 novel and its film adaptation debuts this week, but the deeper religious themes of the original story might be lost on. It tells the story of a kid named charley brewster who finds himself living next door to a vampire. Continue reading for information on the updates in this new edition, as well as a lengthy.
The book details the demonic possession of elevenyearold regan macneil, the. Even the epigraphs of the three sections of the novel show a movement from the problem of evil, both supernatural and human, to an affirmation of faith and love by st. The exorcist by william peter blatty in epub, fb2, rtf download e book. Exorcist author william peter blatty based his 1971 book on a real case of. It remains one of the most controversial novels ever written and went on to become a literary phenomenon. The theme is further underscored by the fact that regans mother, movie star. Originally published in 1971, the exorcist is now a major television series on fox.
Buy a cheap copy of the exorcist book by william peter blatty. Unlike the exorcist, this isnt a novel set in a sinister georgetown. Anyone who enjoyed the movie should take the time to read the book which preceded it. The exorcist, the book anyway is timeless and has much more depth than the movie, it does live up to the hype rewarding your intelligence as well as disturbing you when it needs to. Originally published in 1971, the exorcist remains one of the most controversial novels ever written and went on to become a literary phenomenon. The exorcist stays remarkably true to the feel of the bestselling 1971 novel of the same name and the classic 1973 movie based on the book. Viewing 15 posts 1 through 15 of 15 total author posts july 9, 2010 at 1. About the exorcist 1973 film the exorcist 1973 film summary. October 31, 2012 the classic horror novel the exorcist inspired an even creepier movie, but author mark danielewski says after he saw the film, it changed the book in his mind forever. Inspired by a true story of a childs demonic possession in the 1940s, william peter blatty created.
William peter blatty, author of the novel the exorcist and a producer of. Possessed by a movie makeover the classic horror novel the exorcist inspired an. The exorcist was notable for being one of the biggest boxoffice successes and one of the first blockbusters in film history, predating jaws 1975, and surpassing the godfather 1972 as the biggest money. The distinction between the novels by blatty and levin is noteworthy. Even decades after it was first published, this book is still on many secular lists for the scariest book ever written. The exorcist takes christianity seriously wesley j. The exorcist by florencemcc tuesday, october 25, 2016 0 book vs movie adaptation, books, film, horror, movies permalink 0 william peter blattys the exorcist was pretty much an instant bestseller when it came out in 1971, and when the movie version came out just a couple of years later people lined up around the block to go. Featured content includes commentary on major characters, 25 important quotes, essay topics, and key themes like faith versus reason and guilt and parenthood. Is there any other book like the exorcist 1971 written by william peter blatty. As douglas winter writes, in retrospect, the novel is noteworthy for what it is not.
The exorcist by william peter blatty catholic reads. The exorcist by william peter blatty overdrive rakuten. The story line goes further, has more characters and. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. David blackthorn every genre has definitive works that set a standard. I realised though, that i hadnt seen the exorcist, so invited a few friends over and ordered some pizzas. Memorable quotes and exchanges from movies, tv series and more. The book begins with a prologue which is set in modern day iraq, at the site of the ancient city of nineveh. This detailed literature summary also contains related titles on the exorcist by william peter blatty. How does one explain the existence of evil, and can that be reconciled with the existence of a benign god. The exorcist is a 1971 horror novel by american writer william peter blatty. Only this time william peter blattys readers are in for a different surprise.
View mobile site jokeypsych endgamehonest galaxyquest. In his 1974 book william peter blatty on the exorcist from novel to film, he explained, for here at last, in this city, in my time, was tangible evidence of transcendence. William peter blatty in 1971 wrote the exorcist, a deeply unsettling theological thriller that later became an extremely lucrative and controversial hollywood blockbuster. The novel was inspired by a 1949 case of demonic pos. Roland doe came from a lutheran family, and in blattys book, regan and her family are agnostic at best. While the show tells a different story, its primary protagonists are, as in the book and movie, two troubled priests who agree to fight a possessing demon at the request of the victims mother played by.
The exorcist theme hd read description pls youtube. Doubtless, the extreme popularity of the exorcist, both book and movie, is due to its connection to many social. Home forums the exorcist book vs movie this topic contains 14 replies, has 6 voices, and was last updated by gav 9 years, 8 months ago. The question and answer section for the exorcist 1973 film is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. The exorcist 1973 is the sensational, shocking horror story about devil possession and the subsequent exorcism of the demonic spirits from a young, innocent girl of a divorced family. Howard macneil is in europe for the whole book, which the characters surmise is the reason of her pick of the name captain howdy. The exorcist theme i will upload more horror movie themes soon. The sites critical consensus reads, the exorcist rides its supernatural theme to magical effect, with remarkable special effects and an eerie atmosphere, resulting in one of the scariest films of all time. Fright night is a vampire movie that came out in 1985 and was remade in 2011.
It is based on the 1971 novel of the same name by william peter blatty, the movie screenplay having been adapted by the author. Father damien karras is the broody personification of the books main theme. The central and overt themes in the exorcist are metaphysical. You can even see the decline in remakes of lesser horror movies.