The Exorcist (A Novel)

"What an excellent day for an exorcism..."

Originally published in 1971,The Exorcist, one of the most controversial novels ever written, went on to become a literary phenomenon: It spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list, seventeen consecutively at number one. Inspired by a true story of a child’s demonic possession in the 1940s, William Peter Blatty created an iconic novel that focuses on Regan, the eleven-year-old daughter of a movie actress residing in Washington, D.C. A small group of overwhelmed yet determined individuals must rescue Regan from her unspeakable fate, and the drama that ensues is gripping and unfailingly terrifying.

Two years after its publication, The Exorcist was turned into a hugely popular motion picture, garnering ten Academy Award nominations. On opening day of the film, lines of the novel’s fans stretched around city blocks. In Chicago, frustrated moviegoers used a battering ram to gain entry through the double side doors of a theater, while 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, with CBS’s Walter Cronkite devoting almost ten minutes to the story. The Exorcist was, and is, more than just a novel and a film: It is a literary landmark.

Revised and expanded by the author before his death, including new dialogue, a new character, and a chilling new extended scene, this unique edition of William Peter Blatty’s searing novel of faith provides an unforgettable reading experience that will continue to shock, edify, and terrify a new generation of readers.