"Are you telling me to take her to a witch doctor?" - Chris MacNeil

Actress Chris MacNeil is in Georgetown doing her last few scenes for a new movie. Along for the ride are her young daughter Regan, her secretary Sharon, and her two housekeepers Willie and Karl Engstrom. Initially Chris believes she may have rats in her attic as there's a lot of scratching going on, but surprisingly the nocturnal sounds seem to eminent from Regan's room. This is just a prelude as Regan begins to come under some sort of physical attack from her imaginary friend Captain Howdy. Chris calls in the Doctors who are perplexed at Regan's worsening condition, the strange happenings around her, and the fact that every test they conduct comes up negative. Time to call in the Physiatrists, as the Doctors determine there is no physical reason for Regan's sudden mood changes, apparent physical changes, and dramatic personality shifts.

The Physiatrists are equally stumped as Regan seems to portray a malicious second personality that wants to harm the young girl. With nothing left in the play book a Physiatrist broaches the subject of demonic possession, a strange and rare personality disorder that might be susceptible to a Catholic exorcism. With the pressures mounting, Director Burke Dennings has been murdered and the investigating Detective Kinderman is coming to the conclusion that Dennings fell to his death from Regan's bedroom, Chris seeks the help of the local Catholic Church. Somewhat sceptical about the case Father Karras, a Catholic Psychiatrist, agrees to see Regan and discovers the girl just might harbour something ancient and evil. Karras seeks permission to perform an exorcism as he begins to believe that Regan is indeed possessed by a demonic entity, and the local Diocese agrees to the ritual, however it will be conducted by Father Merrin. The stage is set for a battle between old foes, a battle for the souls of Regan and all those around her.

In 1972 William Peter Blatty's novel of demonic possession took the New York book charts by storm as horror announced a new reign was about to get under way. Blatty's overly ripe book had such a commercial impact that the film rights were snapped up in a Hollywood feeding frenzy and every Publisher on Madison Avenue was suddenly in the market for horror titles, a situation that would directly lead to Stephen King's 1973 debut novel Carrie. That's right folks, Blatty orchestrated a resurgence in horror literature and movies that would directly lead to the explosion in the genre, something that has erroneously been attributed to Stephen King down the years. Regardless of our thoughts on The Exorcist and the resulting movies we have to give Blatty two thumbs up for re-igniting what was a stagnating genre.

Okay I'm going to get the criticism out of the way first prior to pointing out why Blatty's novel had such an impact on the American book buying public. The Author is writing in a style that hasn't aged well, the prose has a tendency to the melodramatic and ponderous statements that today would be the hallmark of a bad writer. Looking at you Steve Alten, Hell's Aquarium really!?! Having just re-read The Exorcist I was struck by how cumbersome some of the prose actually is, for sure it's pure 1970s but wow the written word has moved a pace since the early 70s. For a modern reader who may have picked up the book for the first time, some of the phrasing is clumsy at best and the tendency to finish parts of the book on a dramatic note is overly obvious. Hey calling it as I see it, sorry to burst bubbles here, and the book was written in the early 1970s ergo it's going to reflect it's time.

What Blatty does get right, and a lot of horror Writers don't seem able to grasp since, is steadily building up the tension, getting sympathy for his characters, and going for the jugular when the opportunity presents itself. In a prologue piece we are introduced to the Exorcist, Father Merrin, who promptly disappears from the narrative till the final hard hitting block of the book. Blatty spends the intervening time focusing on his chief characters Chris MacNeil and Father Karras. We get true insight into each character, one loves her daughter and is increasingly frustrated by her inability to help her, while the other has lost his faith and seeks redemption in what is viewed as an increasingly decaying world. In to their paths comes an ancient evil that strengths both major characters as they face quite possibly their worst nightmare. There's an urban beat Blatty is hitting with his characters, and they take central stage rather than Merrin, the supposedly titular character of the novel, and his nemesis, a demonic entity named Pazuzu.

The Exorcist is a slow burner that doesn't really build up a head of steam till the final confrontation between the forces of good and the forces of evil, then the breaks fail completely as the novel gathers speed for a slam dunk conclusion that not many people are going to see coming. Blatty spends time with his major and incidental characters, introducing motivations in the process, as we slowly get to know our cast of characters. Like any good horror novel chaos, always a mainstay of the dark genre, is introduced quietly and goes largely unnoticed as the sane world continues to spin. Blatty gathers pace as Regan becomes increasingly disturbed and we have rather hallowing episodes of medical procedures while the Doctors try and find out exactly what might be ailing the girl. Notably Regan is slowly coming to being possessed with changes of character, swearing, and other activities explainable via various medical conditions, it's only when Father Karras first ventures into the MacNeil household that Pazuzu announces himself, admittedly as Satan but what the heck a demon has to make a few outrageous claims or it's not doing its job.

There's a number of sub plots going down that might initially seem superfluous to some readers, but keep with Blatty the dude knows what he is doing. Detective Kinderman is necessary to keep the screws being turned on Chris MacNeil as the Detective closes in on the truth of what happened to Burke Dennings. Remembering that Blatty gives some broad hints possessed Regan has been committing desecrations at the local church, Pazuzu clearly taking a class excursion, so is quite aware of ritual murder. I must admit I haven't quite got a handle on Karl Engstrom's episodes with his daughter beyond perhaps underlining why Karl stays so stoic in the face of the forces of hell being unleashed in a small Georgetown bedroom. But anyways the sub plots definitely do tie in either directly or via providing the major characters with additional motivations.

In terms of horror content this is the mother lode, there's some truly disturbing scenes being played out and we the audience get a full induction into the stages of possession, what is needed to gain an exorcism, and what the true nature and target of the demonic attack might be. And yes Regan initially does open a door via an Ouija board, an idea that was fairly novel, no pun intended, in The Exorcist but has been pounded into schlock by an avalanche of books and movies since.

William Peter Blatty delivers one sledge hammer of a book that sets the blue print for the structure of the horror novel. Gain sympathy for your characters, gradually build the tension and supernatural elements, before unleashing hell in the final block. While the prose might read as slightly ponderous for a modern audience there can be no denying that Blatty was taking some risks with his book, and those risks paid off in a massive best seller that paved the way for the emergence of the likes of Stephen King. Full recommendation on this classic of horror literature, Blatty puts a demonic entity into the bedroom of a 12 year old girl, you're invited for afternoon tea!