[Kinderfan]

Well according to Martin, the cases presented where sanctioned by the church. Some parts of the book are over dramatized but hey! you have to do that to keep readers engaged.
I think the book really gives an insight in what goes inside the mind of the victims of possesion.
Great great book!
Awesome author, a Jesuit himself… those guys know what they are talking about

[BadLocust77]

I apologize if this isn’t the right forum. I thought it might be good to discuss the supposedly factual literature on demonic possession along with the Blatty novel.
Has anyone read Hostage to the Devil by Father Malachi Martin?

It’s a fascinating account of 5 (or 6? – I forget) different exorcisms in the modern era. There’s a lot of interesting Catholic theological ideas that Martin ties to each of these cases, and it really makes you think.

I have to say, though, that I don’t buy the stories in this book as the truth. The exorcisms have not and cannot be corroborated with hard physical evidence. A lot of the admittedly very interesting theology also serves to make the point: “Be a Christian, or else….” Furthermore, Martin’s credibility seems shot to me. He was firmly convinced of Vatican conspiracies and “satanic panic” ritual abuse.

[Jason Stringer]

It’s a great book.
Although it’s a bit over the top and greatly dramatized.

Have you ever read Possesion & Exorcism by Traugott K. Oesterreich?

[BadLocust77]

Aunt Harriet, that’s definitely on my Amazon wish list, as is Gabriel Amorth’s book. How is it?

[Jason Stringer]

It’s fantastic yet very exahaustive!

The author at first seems very impartial to the material. But upon further reading, one can tell he just might be convinced himself.

For those not in the know, this was one of the books Blatty used in his research while he was writing The Exorcist.

My dad bought the reprint back in 1974 (it was originally published in 1921) during the Exorcist craze.

In the Exorcist novel Karras himself uses P&E for his own research on Reagan!

You should also check out these books:

The Exorcist (BFI Modern Classics) By Mark Kermode

The Story Behind The Exorcist By Peter Travers and Stephanie Reiff

They’re wonderful books for any fan of the original film.

[Author]

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