The exorcist is a 1971 novel in the horror genre by william peter blatty. After 40 years, grisly exorcist book gets a rewrite. Based on a story about a boy possessed by a demon in the 1950s blatty changed some of the key details to create this fiction classic. The corner is clipped on the inside cover of the dust jacket. The exorcist first edition hardcover january 1, 1971. Another priest, the old and ailing father merrin, has just returned from iraq with forebodings of evil. Picture of the 1971 first edition dust jacket for the exorcist. Born and raised in new york city, blatty received his bachelors degree in english from the georgetown university in 1950, and his masters degree in english literature from the george washington university in 1954. Book vs movie podcast replay the exorcist the margos revisit the 1971 novel written by the very interesting william peter blatty.
A modern reinvention inspired by william peter blattys original 1971 book, the exorcist is a propulsive, serialized, psychological thriller. When the author adapted his book to the screen two years later, it then became one of the most terrifying movies ever made. Originally published in 1971, the exorcist remains one of the most. If you were of an impressionable age at the time, surely the iconic imagery of the book alone made a nightmarish impact, even if you didnt read it. It spent fiftyseven weeks on the new york times bestseller list, seventeen consecutively at number one. Picture of the back dust jacket for the first edition of the exorcist. Picture of the first edition harper and row boards for the exorcist. First published in 1971, the exorcist is probably best known as one of the most shocking films ever made, and having seen the movie countless times, id say it still stands up well as a horror film. 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. The exorcist by william peter blatty overdrive rakuten.
After 40 years, grisly exorcist book gets a rewrite in 1971, william peter blatty told the spinechilling story of a little girl who becomes possessed by a malevolent demon in washington, d. The book details the demonic possession of twelveyearold regan macneil, the daughter. Exorcist author william peter blatty based his 1971 book on a real case of demonic possession that occurred in maryland in the 1940s. Inspired by a true story of a childs demonic possession in the 1940s, william peter blatty created. No writing or creasing found on the pages of this book. The exorcist first edition hardcover january 1, 1971 by william peter blatty author. In 1971, william peter blatty told the spinechilling story of a little girl who becomes possessed by a malevolent demon in washington, d. It remains one of the most controversial novels ever written and went on to become a literary phenomenon. The book, a tale of demonic possession, remained on bestseller lists for some 55 weeks and sold million copies, while the film. Legion by william peter blatty jontheterrible jontheterrible.
While legion is not nearly as good as its predecessor it is still an essential read if you enjoyed the mood and pace of the exorcist. In 1973, the book was turned into a critically acclaimed film that spawned a number of sequels. Published february 1st 1994 by harpertorch first published june 1971. He wrote several horror fiction books including the exorcist, the ninth configuration, and legion. The exorcist is a deeply disturbing novel that has horrified its readers since it was published in 1971. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Now, over forty years later, it remains a truly chilling story. A gift notation dated 1971, is on the inside cover page. This title may not be available to watch from your location. I quite enjoyed the characters in the exorcist and felt that legion gives you a bit more of the enjoyable kinderman as well as the darkness of the demon.
The exorcist is a 1971 novel by american writer william peter blatty. A modern reinvention inspired by william peter blattys original 1971 book, the exorcist is a propulsive, serialized, psychological thriller following two very different men tackling one familys. A modern reinvention inspired by william peter blattys original 1971 book, the exorcist is a propulsive, serialized, psychological thriller following two very different men tackling one familys case of horrifying demonic possession, and confronting the face of true evil. The exorcist is a 1971 novel by william peter blatty. The exotic, sibilant title exorcist why, the word itself sounded evil. These three persons meet when the sweet and cheerful regan turns foulmouthed and violent. Spoiler littered article ahead after the success of the novel in 1971 the exorcist became william peter blattys magnum opus, a piece of writing so inventive and ahead of its time that it generated great interests especially from director william friedkin who then in his infinite filmmaking wisdom adopted the story and crafted an adaptation that became one of the most scariest. All of the books were adapted into movies with the screenplays written by blatty. Certainly, there are gothic conventions in the exorcist, including the monstrous body of regan once she is possessed, the ancient and hidden nature of the menace, and the battle within an isolated.
Director william friedkin in 1973 just came off an incredible spate of box office successes including 1971 s the french. This edition is the updated one, with new dialogue, and a text that has been tightened up and improved. Blatty actually believed columbo was based on kinderman, but the tv pilot broadcast after the exorcist s publication is the second pilot. The exorcist by william peter blatty 1971 hardcover book. William peter blatty a jesuit priest, unable to find plausible explanations for an elevenyearolds strange behavior, begins to suspect demonic possession. But her sickness is beyond the reach of a medical doctor or a psychiatrist. Shows wear and tear to the the edges of the dust jacket. When originally published in 1971, the exorcist became not only a bestselling literary phenomenon, but one of the most frightening and controversial novels ever written. Originally published in 1971, the exorcist is now a major television series on fox. First published in 1971, the exorcist became a literary phenomenon and inspired one of the most shocking films ever made. The imitators have avoided this, i think, because hollywood has helped to promote the kind of dehumanizationcelebrated by the demon in the exorcist.
He also adapted his novel john goldfarb, please come home. William peter blatty the terrifying classic story of a young girl possessed by a demon and the process two priests must undergo in order to exorcize the evil. The exorcist is a 1971 horror novel by american writer william peter blatty. Buy a cheap copy of the exorcist book by william peter blatty. Fox has given a pilot order to drama the exorcist, a modern reinvention inspired by william blattys 1971 book morgan creek, which has the rights to the property, took out the exorcist drama. He won an academy award for the exorcist screenplay. 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 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.
The book details the demonic possession of twelveyearold regan macneil, the daughter of a famous actress, and the two priests who attempt to exorcise the demon. 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. It tells the story of the possession of a young girl named regan macneil. The exorcist signed by blatty, william peter and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. When originally published in 1971, the exorcist became not only a bestselling literary phenomenon, but one of the most frightening and controversial novels ever. The exorcist comes across as one of the scariest books, and films of all. The 1971 book the exorcist, which was the basis for the 1973 classic horror film, is being adapted for a fox tv pilot, according to the. First edition hardcover of william peter blattys the exorcist.
Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids. The novel of a 12yearold girl who was possessed by a powerful demon. The exorcist by william peter blatty, first edition abebooks. The novel was inspired by a 1949 case of demonic pos. Dampstain splotch along upper textblock edge with some attendantthough truly faintundulation visible at the extreme upper. Inspired by a true story of a childs demonic possession in the 1940s, william peter blatty created an iconic novel that. This edition, polished and expanded by the author, includes new dialogue, a new character and a chilling new extended scene, provides an unforgettable reading experience that has lost none of its power to shock and continues. A horrific novel which scared the dustwrapper right offa me.
The exorcist by blatty,william peter and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Published in 1971, the exorcist almost never happened. The book details the demonic possession of elevenyearold regan macneil, the. First edition criteria and points to identify the exorcist. It spent fiftyseven weeks on the new york times bestseller. Yet the most important part of the novel was left out of the film. William peter blatty was an american writer and filmmaker. Picture of the first edition page for the exorcist. Perhaps even more so, because im not even sure the exorcist, the fifth novel from william peter blatty, is a horror novel.
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